OGDEN, Utah – Another homeless person has been killed while crossing Wall Avenue.
A 60-year-old man was jaywalking south of 26th Street and a southbound driver said she didn't see the man Wednesday night.
The victim was about 300 feet south of a crosswalk and was wearing dark clothes. Cops said the driver was not speeding. In fact, police add that she was well aware of a number of deaths on the infamous road and was looking out for pedestrians but the victim came from out of nowhere.
"She's not holding up well," said Lt. Tim Scott. "She's very emotionally distraught over the situation as expected."
"It's really hard, it's the fourth individual to get hit by a car in the last year, and it's a tragedy, and I don't know what to do to help them," said Jeni Canter, Executive Director of St. Anne's Center, one of two homeless shelters in the area.
Canter pushed UDOT to install a crosswalk at Wall and 26th Street, and it happened early this summer. But, just a month ago, 33-year-old Tiffany Phipps was hit and killed while in that crosswalk.
Even though this latest victim was jaywalking in an area with street lights, homeless advocates believe there should be more lighting and awareness for drivers.
"I think UDOT could at least put up flashing lights, the blinking lights to warn people that in this stretch of road, it's very dangerous and there's people crossing at all hours of the day and night," Canter said.
"I can't give you an opinion one way or another if flashing lights would be helpful or be a detriment to the drivers in this situation," Scott said. "I do know we've spoken with drivers who say they're mindful of people crossing the road."
Police are still interviewing the driver and witnesses to determine if alcohol played a role, but there's no indications of that at this time. As of Wednesday night, investigators have not identified the victim. Cops are still notifying his family.
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