The family of a lifelong New Haven resident is left grieving after her life was cut short in a pedestrian accident last week. The 81-year-old, whose daughter said she was an avid walker, was struck by a car near her Wooster Square home on Olive Street Thursday.

The accident victim’s daughter said that her mother was likely crossing the street to get a newspaper when the accident occurred late in the morning. The woman was quickly taken to a nearby hospital by emergency responders but died later that afternoon as a result of her injuries. 

The driver who hit the woman pulled over and remained at the scene. As it turned out, the driver was New Haven’s former corporation counsel. The former corporation counsel did not offer a comment to local reporters on the matter.

It is likely that an investigation is underway to determine exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the fatal accident. If it turns out that distracted driving or another form of negligence was to blame, the driver could potentially face liability in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Foot traffic is heavy in the city of New Haven, which is why it’s important for drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution at all times.

Even though pedestrians often feel that they can let their guard down while walking in their own neighborhoods and crossing streets that they have crossed hundreds of times in the past, all it takes is one inattentive driver for tragedy to result.

Hopefully it won’t be long before the family of the 81-year-old New Haven woman will receive some answers as to how this tragic accident occurred.

Source: New Haven Register, “New Haven woman dies after being hit by car near her Wooster Square home,” Evan Lips, Oct. 30, 2014