Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Port St. Lucie Prompts Police Investigation

A tragic pedestrian accident in Port St. Lucie claimed the life of a 52-year-old woman Thursday evening after she was struck by two vehicles while attempting to cross a busy intersection without a designated crosswalk, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD).

The crash happened around 7:00 p.m. on November 6 near the intersection of Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southeast Wald Street, an area that lacks traffic lights or pedestrian signals.

Authorities identified the victim as Lizzie Ricano-Bornot, a Port St. Lucie resident. According to investigators, Ricano-Bornot was crossing the roadway when she was struck by two vehicles traveling in the same lane—one driven by a woman and the other by a man.

Despite immediate emergency response, Ricano-Bornot was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both drivers remained on-site and fully cooperated with law enforcement. Police said that speed and alcohol were not contributing factors, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Florida remains one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians, ranking among the top in the nation for fatal collisions. Roads like Port St. Lucie Boulevard, designed primarily for vehicle traffic, often lack adequate lighting, crosswalks, and pedestrian safety infrastructure — creating hazardous conditions for those on foot.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), over 9,000 pedestrian crashes occur statewide each year, resulting in more than 700 fatalities. The most common causes include:

• Lack of marked crosswalks or traffic control signals
• Poor visibility during nighttime hours
• Driver inattention or distraction
• Pedestrians crossing mid-block or outside designated areas
• Roadways designed with wide, high-speed lanes

Even when pedestrians cross outside a crosswalk, drivers still have a duty to exercise reasonable care and avoid collisions whenever possible.

Legal Rights in Florida Pedestrian Fatality Cases

Families who lose loved ones in pedestrian crashes may have the right to file a wrongful death claim under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act (§§768.16–768.26).

A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills prior to death
• Loss of companionship and emotional suffering
• Loss of financial support or household contributions
• Mental pain and suffering for surviving family members

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Negligent drivers who failed to maintain a proper lookout
• Municipalities or state agencies responsible for unsafe roadway design or lack of signage
• Property owners or contractors who contributed to unsafe traffic conditions

Because every case depends on specific facts — including visibility, lighting, vehicle speed, and road design — it’s critical to contact an attorney who specializes in pedestrian accident investigations.

How Attorneys Investigate Pedestrian Fatalities

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, our legal team conducts comprehensive investigations into fatal pedestrian crashes. We work with accident reconstruction experts and forensic engineers to determine exactly what happened and why.

Key evidence often includes:

• Surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Black box data from involved vehicles
• Skid mark and roadway evidence
• Eyewitness statements
• Vehicle lighting and headlight analysis
• City or county traffic design records

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we’ve represented families across Port St. Lucie, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties who have lost loved ones in preventable roadway tragedies. We purposefully limit our caseload to ensure every client receives personal attention, careful investigation, and aggressive advocacy.

We handle all costs upfront and charge no fees unless we win your case. Our attorneys fight to hold negligent drivers, municipalities, and corporations accountable — not only for justice, but to help prevent future tragedies.

📞 Call 305-638-4143 or contact us online for a free consultation in English or Spanish.