ERIE, Erie County, Pa., Sept. 25, 2026 — An 81-year-old man died Wednesday night, September 23, after he was struck by a car while crossing West 38th Street in Erie, according to Erie police and the Erie County Coroner's Office.
The man has been identified by the Coroner's Office as David Grossi. Police reported the crash at 7:48 p.m. on West 38th Street, and Grossi was taken to UPMC Hamot, where he died at 11:27 p.m. that night, Chief Deputy Coroner Nick Rekitt said.
The coroner's office said the case remains under investigation. We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
A Common Misconception About Pedestrian Crashes in Erie
Many people assume pedestrian deaths mostly happen on dark rural roads or highways, far from help. That is not where most of these crashes occur. Cities and their built-up corridors, the same kind of streets found throughout Erie, see the bulk of pedestrian deaths nationally.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023. That means the ordinary city street, with parked cars, driveways, and mid-block crossings, carries far more risk than the open highway most people picture.
The reasons are straightforward. Urban areas simply have more people walking near more vehicles, more often, across more intersections and street segments each day. That volume, not any single dangerous stretch of road, is what drives the numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian accidents more common at night?
Reduced visibility after dark is a factor in many pedestrian crashes, and a large share nationally occur in evening or nighttime hours. Streetlighting, weather, and driver attentiveness all play a role alongside the time of day.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
If possible, call 911 immediately and stay where it's safe until help arrives. Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some injuries, like head trauma or internal bleeding, aren't obvious right away.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, but drivers and walkers both share responsibility for watching traffic and signals before proceeding.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, scanning crosswalks before turning, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel all help drivers spot people on foot in time to stop.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Erie, PA
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a pedestrian crash in Erie should call 911 right away so police and medical crews can respond. Even if a person seems okay after being struck, a medical evaluation is important, since injuries like fractures, internal bleeding, or head trauma don't always show symptoms immediately.
It helps to get the names and contact information of any witnesses, since their accounts can matter later in a police investigation. If you're able, note details like the time, weather, and lighting conditions, which investigators often ask about when reconstructing how a crash happened.
Families of those involved in a fatal pedestrian crash can request a copy of the police report once it's completed, which typically includes the responding department's initial findings.
