BRENTWOOD, N.Y.— Authorities are investigating a fatal roadside crash that occurred April 15 along Sunrise Highway.
Suffolk County Police said the incident happened around 1:40 p.m. west of Brentwood Road. A 2023 Kia Forte lost control, crossed multiple lanes, and struck a tow truck operator assisting a disabled vehicle on the highway shoulder.
Investigators identified Richard Rodriguez, a 32-year-old Freeport man, as the tow truck operator loading a Chevrolet SUV onto a 2020 Dodge Ram tow truck when the Kia hit him.
Emergency responders pronounced Rodriguez deceased at the scene. The driver of the Kia, a 38-year-old Massapequa man, was not injured in the accident.
Suffolk County Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact authorities.
Richard Rodriguez tragically killed in Suffolk County roadside accident
Incident Location
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
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 piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond, an experienced pedestrian attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Bond. The family of Richard Rodriguez 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,” she added.
Serving 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,” Bond noted. “However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
Accident Injury News' national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in fatal pedestrian accidents, and if you or a family member need help, she is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
