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80-Year-Old Palm Springs Man Dies When Car Crashes Into Wheelchair


Posted on Apr 06, 2012

An 80-year-old man has died after a West Palm Beach accident involving an SUV and a motorized wheelchair.

The accident occurred at 6:25 p.m. on Friday, March 23 at the intersection of Ardell Way and Purdy Lane. Benjamin Perez, an 80-year-old from Palm Springs, was attempting to cross Ardell Way in his power chair when he was hit by a 22-year-old female driver. The driver had left a nearby business. Traffic was stopped on Purdy Lane, but the woman drove through a gap in the stopped cars. She did not see Perez. Perez was knocked out of his chair by the collision. He was taken to Delray Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

The accident is still under investigation.

Wheelchair users are at high risk of becoming Palm Beach accident victims. Drivers should look out for wheelchair users, but those who use wheelchairs should also take safety precautions.

Being visible is the best way to avoid a Palm Beach traffic accident. Wheelchair users should wear clothing that is bright and noticeable. Because wheelchairs are low to the ground, it is a good idea to mount a flag on the wheelchair to increase visibility. If the wheelchair is used outdoors at night, it should have reflectors. The user should also wear reflective, light-colored clothing.

Wheelchair users should plan their routes to avoid obstacles and heavy traffic. They should avoid construction areas that may require riding on the street, and they should always cross roads at intersections where the chair can be easily seen.

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