A recent deadly crash involving a pedestrian crossing a busy street without using a crosswalk brings the topic of street safety to the forefront.
Bags of groceries and an empty carton of eggs near markings on Gollihar Road can still be seen at the site where 68-year-old John Guerra was hit and killed by a vehicle.
The person who hit him kept driving and did not call for help.
"Just stay at the scene, that is the decent thing to do just as a human being to be there with someone and call it in," said CCPD Lt. Michael Pena.
In cases like this, Pena said when a driver doesn't stop, it could lead to far more serious charges.
"If you don't stop and fail to remain at the scene of a crash and someone is injured, it's a third degree felony, it's a second degree felony if someone dies," he said.
Sunday's investigation is the fourth in a series of fatal pedestrian accidents over the last two months in Corpus Christi. The first happening back on Oct. 10, on Waldron Road near SPID.
The very next day, near Ayers and McArdle Road, a 76-year-old man was struck crossing the street. On Oct. 18, a man in his 60's was also hit on Ayers Street near Horne Road, when police said the man ran across the road.
In those three accidents, police said the drivers involved stopped to help. Pena said that crosswalks play a crucial part in preventing casualties.
"Another 20-30 feet could save your life," he said.
The incidents are a reminder of the importance of using a marked crosswalk. Even in the dark, they are still visible.
"One of the things I've seen in a pedestrian crashes, is one, pedestrians not crossing at a crosswalk, crossing in the middle of the street, they are wearing dark clothing, the driver of the vehicle doesn't expect to see them," he said.
Pena said that one thing drivers can do to improve safety is to put away any distractions.
"We all drive the streets of Corpus Christi and see people on their cell phones," he said.
In each of these latest cases, the victim was older than 60 years old. Pena encourages families to talk with their loved ones about the risks when walking especially at night.
"It's not just people who are older in age, its anybody, talk to your family members, your young ones, teenagers," he said.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in Texas last year alone, there were over 800 people killed as a result. CCPD reminds residents that they can get a ticket if they are spotted by police jaywalking.
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