A man crossing the riskiest road on Long Island for pedestrians was struck by a sport utility vehicle and seriously injured, police said.
The 72-year-old victim suffered a fractured right leg and serious head trauma as he was struck on westbound Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, Nassau County police said. Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was transported to a hospital in serious condition.
A year-long investigation this week reported that the 16-mile stretch of Hempstead Turnpike through Nassau County is the riskiest stretch of road for pedestrians on the Island, with 8.21 annual fatalities -- and, scores more serious pedestrian accidents -- per million vehicle miles traveled. Thirty-two people were killed -- and, at least 427 were injured -- in 457 pedestrian accidents between 2005 and 2010, the investigation found. The investigation also found that Elmont, Franklin Square and Hempstead Village have intersections with the highest number of pedestrian hits.
Police said the accident this week occurred near the intersection of Sterling Road. The man hit there, police said, was attempting to cross Hempstead Turnpike -- and was in the right lane when he was struck by a 2004 Toyota Highlander driven by a 68-year-old man. The driver stopped and called police.
