Pedestrians at risk

Sarasota police provided this photo of a damaged car that they say was involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian early Wednesday morning on U.S. 41 near Sarasota High School. The driver was charged with DUI-manslaughter.

The clock had not yet struck 1 a.m. Wednesday when a Sarasota pedestrian suffered a terrible -- and quite possibly preventable -- death.

In seconds, the course of several lives -- that of the victim, the driver now charged with DUI-manslaughter, and those of their families -- changed in devastating ways.

As the Sarasota Police Department reported, a man on the U.S. 41 sidewalk (a block north of Bahia Vista Street) was struck by a southbound car that jumped the curb. A nearby officer arrested the driver, 66, noting that he didn't smell of alcohol but appeared to be "very out of it" and "impaired by some unknown substance."

"There was no sign of life of in the victim," who was 44.

Records indicate it was the city's first pedestrian fatality of 2014.

We hope it is the last.

Blood-test results were not available when this editorial was written. If convicted as charged, the driver could face a lengthy prison sentence because Florida law treats DUI-manslaughter quite seriously.

Whatever the legal outcome of the case, the crash is a tragic reminder of disturbing realities, both in driving and pedestrian safety in our area.

It is self-evident but bears repeating that anyone on the road has an obligation to stay sober and alert -- free of not just alcohol but also mind-slowing drugs, medicines, sleepiness or distractions.

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Pedestrians at risk