Pedestrian Struck in Crosswalk

Driver fails to yield the right-of-way

By Italia Gregory

On January 9th at approximately 10:30 a.m., Terry D. Miller, 78, of Keysville was struck by a vehicle while using the crosswalk at the Post Office on King St. in Keysville, Va.

Miller has been a longtime advocate for crosswalk safety and has written letters to the editor encouraging motorists to use care when driving on King Street.

The driver of the vehicle, Michele D. Wright, 19, of Red Oak, was traveling northbound on King St. in a 2001 Dodge Neon when the incident occurred.

Although no injuries were reported, Miller was checked by the Charlotte County Rescue Squad. Wright was charged with failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

According to the Code of Virginia §46.2-924. Right-of-way of pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty:

A. The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway:

1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block

2. At any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block;

3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed thirty-five miles per hour.

However, law enforcement authorities recommend that individuals look both ways before utilizing the crosswalk.

Investigating officer was Trooper J.D. Gregory.