A woman tragically lost her life on Wednesday when a chase suspect crashed into her as she waited for the bus in Houston.
The driver, 43-year-old Joseph Jebbia, had been pursued by the Montgomery County Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force since around 2:15 p.m. due to an outstanding aggravated assault warrant from Montgomery County. Despite law enforcement’s attempts to pull him over, Jebbia fled into Houston, ultimately causing a fatal chain reaction at North Freeway and West Road.
An official from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office stated that Jebbia ran through a red light in his Chevrolet Tahoe, collided with another vehicle, and struck the woman at the bus stop before continuing his escape. He was eventually apprehended on State Highway 249 and Smiling Wood Lane after crashing his vehicle.
Once surrounded by officers, Jebbia was removed from his vehicle and taken into custody. Authorities searched the vehicle and discovered a loaded assault rifle, body armor, and drugs believed to be almost one kilo of fentanyl.
Jebbia was booked into the Harris County Jail.
This tragic accident underscores the dangers that pedestrians face every day in this country.
According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States has grown substantially faster than all other traffic deaths. An estimated 7,342 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2021, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help identify what happened. These resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond, an experienced pedestrian attorney.
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. The family of the victim may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.
“Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of income and companionship, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident,” said Formica.
As an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family through this difficult time while protecting their rights.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth,” Formica noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
