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Pedestrian Talking On Cell Phone Killed After Walking Into Truck
Thursday March 26, 2009
CityNews.ca Staff
A 28-year-old woman was killed Wednesday, hit by a truck making a right from Blue Jays Way onto Front Street around 9:30pm.
Police say the woman was on her cell phone and walked into the side of the truck. She was knocked down and run over by the back wheels.
"We believe from witness statements ... that she was talking on the cell phone as she walked into the side of the truck and that may have been enough of a distraction that she didn't even realize what was happening," explained Traffic Services Sgt. Tim Burrows.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name hasn't been released, and no charges are expected to be laid.
Officials say what's especially frustrating about this tragedy is how avoidable it was.
But Philip Groff, a rep from safety watchdog SMARTRISK, says it's an all-too common issue.
"It's you versus several thousand kilograms of fast moving metal and if you're not paying attention, tragedy can ensue," he warns. "We'd say, cross the street as though your life depended on it."
After surveying the scene of Wednesday's fatal accident for some time, Sgt. Burrows wholly agrees.
"I've been at this intersection for two hours - it's amazing how many people are texting, talking on their cell phone, ear buds in their ears," he laments. "It's a distraction. It's not safe."
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