Stoughton Toddler Killed in Pedestrian Accident on Central Street

September 16, 2012

A Stoughton toddler recently died after she was hit by a box truck on Central Street. Three-year-old Shayla Lutz was reportedly crossing the street with her mother in front of Hansen Elementary School when she was struck by the truck. Immediately following the accident, emergency responders transported the child to Good Samaritan Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. The unidentified driver of the Angelo's Plumbing, Heating & Cooling truck that hit the child was reportedly not physically injured.

According to the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, the child was not in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. Eyewitnesses stated Shayla's mother was pushing a stroller with another child in it while the three-year-old walked beside her. At one point, Shayla reportedly let go of the stroller and ran towards the truck that struck her as the family headed to the elementary school in order to pick up Shalya's older sibling from school.

The Stoughton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office jointly performed an initial investigation of the accident. A representative from the District Attorney's Office stated although the exact cause of the pedestrian accident is currently under investigation, neither speed nor driver impairment were suspected to have played a role in the crash. At this time, no criminal charges are being filed in connection with the accident.

Pedestrians in Massachusetts are placed at risk of being injured in an accident with a car, motorcycle, or truck every day. Pedestrian accidents may be caused by excessive speed, driver impairment, dangerous roadway conditions, weather, inattentive drivers, vehicle defects, and other factors. When a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle, the resulting injuries are normally life threatening or fatal. A pedestrian who was hurt by a negligent driver may be eligible to receive financial compensation for their medical costs, suffering, pain, disability, and other damages. Additionally, the family of a pedestrian killed by a careless driver may be able to recover for wrongful death. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate your options for recovery.

If you were the victim in a pedestrian accident, you should call the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa, P.C. at (508) 230-5300 in Brockton as soon as you are able. Our knowledgeable Stoughton personal injury attorneys have more than 37 years of combined experience helping clients in Massachusetts achieve fair compensation following an injury accident. The Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa helps clients who were injured through no fault of their own in Bridgewater, Brockton, Easton, Taunton, Stoughton, and other surrounding towns. To speak with a dedicated and hardworking personal injury lawyer today, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Sousa & Sousa through the law firm's website.

• Toddler's Drowning Death in Backyard Pool Prompts City Crackdown, Brockton Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 31, 2012
• Car Crash Leads to Death of Stoughton Woman, Proposed Changes to State Law, Brockton Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 26, 2012

• Shayla Lutz, Age 3, of Stoughton, Identified as Toddler Killed in Collision Near Hansen School, by Jeffrey Pickette, Stoughton Patch
• Toddler Struck, Killed Near Hansen School in Stoughton, by Les Masterson and Michael Hardman, Stoughton Patch

Photo credit: Bubbels, Stock.xchng