Charleston man struck by vehicle at intersection with Patriots Point Road
April 17, 2026 | Mount Pleasant, SC
A 67-year-old Charleston resident, William Douan, lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in a tragic incident at a busy intersection.
William Douan, 67, died after being struck by a vehicle at West Coleman Boulevard and Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.
- Date and Time: Friday morning around 10 a.m.
- Location: West Coleman Boulevard and Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Victim: William Douan, 67, of Charleston
- Outcome: Transported to the Medical University of South Carolina and pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m.
- Investigation: Mount Pleasant Police Department is leading the investigation, and no details on the driver or the cause have been released yet
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities reported that Douan was hit by an oncoming vehicle while at the intersection. Emergency responders quickly arrived and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he could not be saved. The exact circumstances leading to the collision remain under review as investigators gather evidence.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Like This Occur?
Pedestrian fatalities continue to rise across U.S. roadways, often due to factors like distracted driving, poor visibility, and inadequate infrastructure. Staying alert and yielding to pedestrians can prevent many such tragedies.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, about 3,304 pedestrians were killed in crashes during the first half of 2024 alone.
Statistic |
Details |
Source |
|---|
Pedestrian Fatalities (First Half 2024) |
3,304 deaths |
Governors Highway Safety Association |
Annual Trend |
Increasing preventable deaths |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Common Causes |
Distracted driving, speeding, and poor lighting |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving pedestrian collisions, thorough investigations play a crucial role in determining liability and supporting affected families.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal and an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one receive the justice that they deserve.”
“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, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
Key takeaways from legal analysis:
- Roadway elements like lighting and signage often contribute to accidents and require detailed examination.
- Professional reconstruction helps establish fault in complex scenarios.
- Families may pursue compensation for losses, including income, emotional distress, and funeral costs.
“It is almost always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “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.”
Attorneys can provide compassionate guidance during investigations, advocating against lowball insurance settlements to ensure fair outcomes.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline 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 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).