Pima County could hit record-breaking numbers in pedestrian accidents
Reporter: Justin Schecker
Web Producer: Taylor Avey, Mekita Rivas
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Two people, including a 15-year-old, are recovering tonight after a car struck them while they were crossing the intersection of Benson Highway and Drexel Road. Doctors treated and released a third man who suffered minor injuries.
According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, this is the 23rd pedestrian accident so far this year in the county. That's on pace to match or surpass the 32 pedestrian accidents in 2011.
Deputy Tom Peine told 9 on Your Side the roads were lit at the intersection.
"At the same time we're out in the county," Peine said. "It was dark coming up to the intersection so visibility is always an issue."
Carter Carr lives near the site of the crash. He missed his bus to tell 9 on Your Side how concerned he is about pedestrian safety in the area.
"I cross this street daily, sometimes two or three times a day," Carr said. "It is very dangerous as you can see. There is inadequate lighting, no marking on the street and this intersection is set up on a very weird angle."
Peine said pedestrians are required to cross from corner to corner at intersections where there is no painted crosswalk, but residents who live nearby say they're not satisfied.
"If they had a crosswalk than people would have to be more courteous to the pedestrians," a nearby resident told 9 on Your Side.
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