Trending
BUCKHANNON -- A Buckhannon man was cited after his SUV struck a woman who was in the crosswalk on Route 20 in front of Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home Saturday evening.
Gene O. Evans Jr., 61, was driving a 2015 Chevy Equinox, when he hit Linda Lee, 61, of Buckhannon, at 5:40 p.m. in the rain, police said.
The Buckhannon Police Department report, which was not available until Wednesday morning, states that Officer Angel McCauley and Cpl. Darin Hissam responded to the call in front of the funeral home and found Lee on the sidewalk being attended to by medical personnel. McCauley spoke to Evans who stated he was going 20-25 mph and hit his brakes upon approaching the victim.
Evans said he thought he had missed Lee until he heard the impact, according to the report.
Witnesses told McCauley the Equinox failed to yield at the crosswalk and hit Lee, who flipped in the air and landed on the sidewalk.
"The victim had been within a few feet of exiting the crosswalk to the sidewalk when she was struck by the vehicle," McCauley wrote in the report.
Evans was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in crosswalk and driving on a suspended or revoked license. No drug or alcohol use was suspected, according to the report.
The Buckhannon Fire Department and Upshur County EMS were among the responding units.
Lee was taken by EMS to St. Joseph's Hospital and then transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital with incapacitating injuries. Lee was released Wednesday, according to her daughter Carrie Rice.
"She was released today by the grace of God," Rice said. "She is the strongest person I know to walk out of the hospital four days later, after walking across the street and being hit by an SUV. However, she is in a lot of pain and it's going to be a long road to recovery. I will be there for her every step of the way. Seeing her like that tore me apart. My mother is my rock. It's amazing how many wonderful people were praying for her every step of the way. I would like to thank them all. God is good."
There are flashing yellow yield lights on both sides of Kanawha Street/Route 20 prior to the funeral home in both directions of travel.
Chief Matt Gregory said, "A number of positive steps have been taken to enhance visibility there. That is the placement of the lights and the marking of the crosswalk. Some communities go a step further and the crosswalk itself is outlined in reflective paint."
There have been pedestrian signs placed in high traffic areas such around town such as permanent one on Spring Street in front of the post office and a portable one on South Florida Street that is used when events are taking place at Jawbone Park, according to Gregory.
However, the police chief noted that Route 20 is a state road so any improvement measures would have to be approved by the state Department of Highways.
Gregory said drivers also have to pay attention, especially in high traffic situations.