The unofficial and highly controversial annual Zombie Walk in San Diego has been canceled due to safety concerns stemming from a traffic accident last year. The event would have been 10th Zombie Walk to take place in association with ComicCon in San Diego.
“For everyone inquiring about whether there is a walk this year, the simple answer is no, there will not be a walk this year. The event is on indefinite hiatus due to legal matters stemming from the vehicular incident following last year’s walk,” the group posted to their Facebook page.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Matthew Pocci Jr., 48, who is deaf, hit and injured a woman with his vehicle while driving through the Zombie Walk event last year. Pocci was accompanied by his girlfriend, her sister and the sister’s 9-year-old son when the zombies allegedly started pounding on their vehicle, which startled the passengers and caused him to accelerate, hitting the woman, 64. He is reportedly set to stand trial on October 13 on a charge of felony reckless driving causing bodily injury, notes the Times.
If convicted, he faces up to three years in state prison. On their page, the group denies that any “‘zombies’ were near/touching the car during the incident, so I’m confident justice will be served.”
Pocci and the injured woman have reportedly filed similar claims against the city of San Diego asserting the police department had not properly notified residents and visitors that the Zombie Walk was taking place.
Although the Zombie Walk is canceled at the convention center for the foreseeable future, the group’s Facebook page notes that they’ve created a horror-themed meet-up/photo op at the Children’s Park at 5 p.m. this Saturday for those who still wish to be “zombified.”
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