OCEAN CITY, Worcester County, Md., Sept. 17, 2026 — An elderly man was reportedly struck by a reversing vehicle Wednesday morning, September 16, on 14th Street in Ocean City. Detectives say he was sitting on the ground when the vehicle backed into him.
The Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched to the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m. for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. The Ocean City Police Department also responded.
The man's injuries have not been detailed publicly. It is not yet known whether he was taken to a hospital or treated at the scene.
Authorities have not released the driver's identity or said whether any citations are expected. The circumstances that led the vehicle to back into the man remain under investigation, and further details are expected to come from the police department as the review continues.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
When Pedestrian Crashes in Parking Areas and Low-Speed Zones Tend to Happen
Pedestrian crashes involving reversing or slow-moving vehicles usually cluster around midday and early afternoon hours, when foot traffic in commercial districts and parking areas peaks alongside vehicles pulling in and out of spaces. Unlike highway pedestrian crashes, which spike after dark, these lower-speed incidents frequently happen in daylight, in busy lots, alleys, or narrow streets where sightlines are blocked by parked cars, signage, or building corners.
What changes in these settings is less about visibility and more about attention and blind spots. Drivers backing out frequently rely on mirrors or cameras that don't cover a person seated or crouched low to the ground. Foot traffic mixed with vehicle maneuvering, especially in tourist towns and beach communities during warmer months, adds to the risk. Distraction, whether from phones, passengers, or unfamiliar surroundings, plays a role too.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of these incidents happen not on open roads but in the kind of low-speed, close-quarters settings where a vehicle backing up can catch a pedestrian who is out of the driver's direct line of sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks once they've entered the roadway, but drivers backing out of spaces or driveways must still yield to anyone in their path, crosswalk or not.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Checking mirrors and blind spots before reversing, backing up slowly, and pausing to look for pedestrians low to the ground or partially obscured by other vehicles all help avoid these collisions.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles, even at low speeds, commonly suffer fractures, bruising, head injuries, and soft-tissue damage. Injuries can be serious even in crashes that happen at parking-lot speeds.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Distracted driving, poor visibility, failure to yield, and blind spots during turns or reversing maneuvers are among the most frequently cited factors in pedestrian crash reports.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Ocean City, MD
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so paramedics and police can respond. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's important for the injured person to be evaluated by medical staff, since some injuries, like internal bruising or fractures, aren't always obvious right away.
If you're able, note details like the time, location, and any vehicles or people involved, and stay at the scene until authorities arrive and release you. Cooperating with the Ocean City Police Department's investigation and requesting a copy of the official report can help ensure an accurate record of what happened.
