Davis Law Group, P.S.

21-year-old man dies after Route 507 crash

Story Highlights:
One dead after Spanaway car accident
Motor vehicle collision caused by speeding



Date: March 19, 2011, 03/19/2011
Location: Spanaway, Pierce County, Washington
Type: Car accident, Motor vehicle collision
Outcome: One dead

A 21-year-old man died from his injuries after crashing on Route 507 near Spanaway.

Roger Scherf, a soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord died on Sunday after suffering serious head injuries when he crashed into another vehicle early Saturday morning.

Around 7:35 am on Saturday, Scherf was heading south on Route 507 when he crossed the center line and hit an 82-year-old man who was heading north.

Both men were taken to Madigan Army Hospital. Scherf succumbed to his injuries after 2 p.m. on Sunday and the 82-year-old male still remans at the hospital.

Troopers investigating the crash say that it was caused by Scherf driving too fast for conditions and that no alcohol or drugs were involved.

National Speeding Accident Statistics

• Speeding-related fatalities have been increasing over the past ten years. The number of speed-related deaths from 1997 to 2001 was 237.8, while the average from 2002 to 2006 was 244, a 2.6% increase.
• In 2006, Washington experienced the second highest number of speed-related fatalities since 1997, with 253, second only to 2002’s number of 260.
• The speed-related fatality rate per 100 million vehicle-miles-traveled has decreased slightly, from .47 in 1997 to .45 in 2006, a 4.3% decrease.
• 59.6% of all speed-related deaths occurred on rural roads- for vehicle-occupants alone the percentage was 62.3%. However, a larger majority of motorcyclist, bicyclist, and pedestrian deaths occurred on urban roads, with 57.5%.
• On average, from 1997 to 2006, the speed-related fatality rate per vehicle-miles-traveled on rural roads was 2-4 times higher than the respective urban road rate. Rural county roads experienced the largest percentage of speed-related deaths, with 30.7%, followed by rural highways, with 20%, and urban city streets, with 19.6%.
• County roads have the highest speed-related fatality rate, with 1.04 deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles-traveled. This is almost six times higher than the interstate rate of .18, and almost three times higher than the city street rate of .36.
• Males represent the largest majority of speed-related deaths, on average, 75.1% from 1997 to 2006.
• In the 21-30 year-old age group, males represent 83.7% of the deaths. Overall, 21-30 year-olds comprise 28.5% of speed-related deaths, followed by 15-20 year olds with 24.3%.

Washington State Speeding Law
No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

Seattle Car Accident Victim Lawyers
Chris Davis and everyone at the Davis Law Group sends out their heartfelt condolences for the family and friends of Roger Scherf and hope they can find a knowledgable wrongful death lawyer that will help settle their case and get them the compensation they deserve for suffering such a tragic loss. If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car accident, Seattle car accident attorney Chris Davis can help you. The Davis Law Group  understands the devastation that can occur as a result of being in a serious auto accident and are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.