A 19-year-0ld St. Louis teen died Saturday, February 4, 2012, the day after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The fatal St. Louis bicycle accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Delmar Boulevard near Goodfellow Boulevard not far from the youth’s University City home. Police arrested the 29-year-old woman who was driving the car that struck Samuel Scott on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The teen was struck shortly after leaving his job as a cook at Dewey’s Pizza in University City.

“Young guy, going on his college visits; he just had his whole life ahead of him,” co-worker Chris White told KMOV news.

Of the 819 traffic fatalities that occurred in Missouri in 2010, 258 were caused by intoxicated drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The majority of DUI (driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs) accidents take place at night when darkness further degrades the judgment of intoxicated drivers already suffering impaired reflexes and coordination. Protected only by a helmet, bike riders are at the mercy of such drivers.

Tragedy is often the result. According to the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, bicyclists and pedestrians account for 7.9% of all Missouri traffic fatalities. Nothing can replace the loss of a child, but a St. Louis wrongful death suit can help compensate a family for medical bills, funeral costs and other damages. If you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, contact the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Hoffman & Gelfman.