Kevin Moreno-Cortes Arrested in Athens Pedestrian Accident
The collision occurred in two crosswalks at Pulaski and West Broad streets.
Kevin Moreno-Cortes, 22, was arrested March 12, after his truck hit two 22-year-old pedestrians in a crosswalk in Athens, police said. The crash happened at Pulaski and West Broad streets, according to police.
The vehicle was driving on Pulaski Street and turned onto West Broad Street when it hit the pedestrians just before 6 pm. The driver did not stop after the crash, police said. A sheriff’s deputy spotted the truck shortly after and detained him for police.
Both pedestrians, identified as students, suffered minor skin abrasions and muscle pain. They gave statements to police. Moreno-Cortes acknowledged striking a pedestrian while turning, police said.
Authorities charged him with leaving the scene of an accident and failure to grant the right of way in a crosswalk. He was booked Tuesday evening.
After a pedestrian collision in a busy downtown area, investigators determine if infrastructure or driver behavior caused the event.
Police investigating the collision focus on how the turn was made and if the driver could see the crosswalk. Candice Bond said that "Signal timing at crosswalks is a major factor in pedestrian safety. If the walk sign does not give a person enough time to cross, it can trap them, leading to avoidable accidents."
Crosswalks remain high-risk areas for non-fatal injury collisions, highlighting the critical role of proper signal timing and driver vigilance in preventing pedestrian incidents.
What are the legal options for pedestrian accident victims?
The criminal justice system addresses the driver's actions after the collision. The civil justice system focuses on the recovery needs of those who were hit. Stefano Formica said that "After a pedestrian accident, early medical documentation is the best way to ensure your health is protected for the long term. Many soft-tissue injuries directly related to pedestrian incidents are not immediately obvious but can become very painful if left untreated. A proactive approach to your medical care is vital for a smooth recovery."
In many pedestrian accidents like this one, providing a clear timeline of the driver's actions and the victims' medical needs is important for a fair resolution.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91), drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians within a crosswalk, and failure to do so can establish negligence per se in a personal injury civil action. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning an injured party can recover damages as long as they are less than 50 percent at fault for the incident. Candice Bond, an attorney with Bond Legal, noted that "Pedestrians who are injured by a car are often covered by the driver’s insurance, even if the pedestrian was not in a vehicle themselves. Understanding these insurance layers is vital because medical bills for a person on foot can be much higher than for someone inside a car."
In Georgia, individuals struck by a motor vehicle may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. Because this incident involved a driver leaving the scene, timely documentation of injuries and police reports is essential for protecting a victim's legal rights. The statute of limitations for personal injury in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the accident.