75-year-old Kenneth D. Christensen was killed on Wednesday May 27, 2009 after being hit by a car. According to KSL News, Kenneth Christensen was waiting at a bus stop just east of 4000 West on 3500 South in West Valley City, Utah when Babtunde Idowu veered off the road in his blue Volvo and struck Christensen as he was waiting for the bus at the bus stop. Christensen was flown to the hospital where he died. Police arrested the 23-year-old Nigerean driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

A witness who talked to Idowu at the scene claims that Idowu said he swerved trying to avoid another car on the road. Police are still looking for more information on the cause of the accident. “We’re actually hoping that if there was anybody out there at the scene that may have seen what happened prior to the incident that could call and help us out, that would be very much appreciated,” said West Valley police Sgt. Chad Evans.

There were no skid marks that would indicate Idowu attempted to stop the car. He suffered only minor injuries in the crash. I offer my sincere condolences to Kenneth Christensen’s family.

Driving impaired, while under the influence of alcohol or another substance, puts motorists, pedestrians and others at risk of serious injury. The story suggests that the driver may have been under the influence when he struck Mr. Christensen. If this is the case, then he will be both criminally as well as civilly responsible for what happened in this case. And even if he was not legally impaired, it appears that it was his negligence that caused this car accident to happen.

The family would be well advised to consult with a Utah personal injury lawyer to investigate the remedies they have available. I notice from the pictures, that this was a newly-titled car that struck Kenneth Christensen. I wonder if the driver had switched insurance over by that point. If the car was still under the rubric of the dealer it was purchased from, there may be significantly more insurance coverage. I would definitely recommend that the family look into this and they recover from this tragic accident.