There has been a rash of pedestrians and cyclists being hit and killed on Louisville streets in the past ten days, with many of the drivers drunk behind the wheel. In that time, four pedestrians were killed, one more hit, and one cyclist killed on area streets. So far this year, 18 pedestrians have been killed in Louisville and over 400 struck by motorists. Two of the killed pedestrians were blamed by police for causing the accidents, even though one driver was drunk and didn’t have a license. Pedestrians are reportedly blamed about 30 percent of the time in Louisville.
Pedestrian killed on Outer Loop: Motorist Heidi Diaz hit and killed Sherrie Dulin at Outer Loop and National Turnpike Monday, November 28th at 6:00 a.m. Diaz was charged with DUI, driving without a license, and having an open alcoholic container in her vehicle. She plead not guilty. Police have blamed the victim for stepping in front of a moving vehicle. Lt. Doug Sweeney told WHAS11, “Because it was the pedestrian’s fault. What you had was a lady who was over the legal limit, but that wasn’t the cause for the collision.” An investigation is pending whether the driver ran a red light. [WHAS11, Update]
Pedestrian killed on Third Street Road: An unnamed motorcyclist hit and killed Tahira Alic as she was walking home from the grocery store trying to cross Third Street Road at New Cut Road at 5:30 p.m. Police blamed the victim, saying she was not paying attention. No word on whether charges were filed. [WHAS11, C-J]
Pedestrian killed on 34th Street: Motorist James R. Brown hit and killed Frank Smith on Tuesday, November 22. He was charged with DUI and murder. [WDRB]
Cyclist killed in Southern Indiana: An unidentified man was killed on State Road 60 Friday morning after being struck by an INDOT worker driving a truck to a construction site at about 1:00 a.m. [WHAS11]
Pedestrian hit on Baxter Avenue: Motorist Jennifer Hohman struck a pedestrian on Baxter Avenue on November 21st. She was charged with DUI, criminal mischief, assault, and driving without a license. The unnamed pedestrian was in the hospital with serious injuries. [WAVE]
Pedestrian killed on Southside Drive: An unnamed driver hit and killed Christopher Tubanyendabazi on Southside Drive at Southland Boulevard on Thursday, November 25th around 8:00 p.m. No charges were filed. [WAVE]
Family hit while eating dinner: A motorist drove their car into a Longhorn Steakhouse near Hurstbourne Parkway and Taylorsville Road yesterday, causing a man and his baby to be taken to the hospital. [WHAS11]
It seems that you posted the link to the TV news story on the drunk driver on Baxter Avenue next to the blurb about the family hit inside the Longhorn Steakhouse.
Thanks, Andrea. Fixed the link.
Too often the thought goes thru my mind: if you want to murder someone in Louisville & avoid responsibility, hit them with your vehicle while they are walking or cycling.
There are quite a few pedestrians who walk right across traffic when it is NOT their right of way. I can see why theyd get hit. Some
Of them do it purposely as if they’re entitled!
@Mada – It is amazing to me the kind of irresponsible behavior pedestrians display all across this city. I see it every day on campus (hoards of students running across the street anywhere dodging cars), and don’t even get me starts about downtown driving through Broadway or the hospital district. It’s like trying to drive through a video game, except not in anyway amusing when you try to turn and suddenly you’re on a street with people crossing right in the middle of it without the rightway and not at the crosswalk. Bikers are often just as bad, weaving in and out of carsand not respecting driving laws. I’m not excusing irresponsible drivers from responsiblity (especially if their drinking) or justifying injuring people, but there should still be acknowledgement there is irresponsible pedestrian behavior rampant through this city.