Tragedy struck on a Durham highway yesterday night when a pedestrian was fatally hit by a car as he attempted to cross the road. CBS17 reported that Durham police responded to the scene on U.S. 15-501 South near N.C. 147, where Lester Arthur Battle, a 73-year-old Durham resident, was struck while leaving the median and stepping in front of a 2017 Honda Civic headed southbound.
The driver of the vehicle, upon hitting Battle, stopped to call 911; Battle was pronounced dead at the scene and while investigations into the collision are ongoing, there have been no indications that charges will be filed against the driver, as documented by WRAL. The accident, occurring around 9 p.m., has raised concerns about pedestrian safety on highways, especially during the night where visibility is significantly reduced and drivers might find it difficult to spot those attempting to cross; furthermore, Battle's decision to step over the guardrail from the median underscores potential issues regarding the clarity of safe pedestrian paths in the area.
Authorities are actively looking into the circumstances of the incident, and The News & Observer stated that the location of the accident, near Morreene Road where the highway's northbound and southbound lanes are separated by a grassy median, is now a spot of interest in discussions about pedestrian highway crossings. Investigators are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward and assist in building a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
The investigation into the incident continues, and anyone with further details is encouraged to contact Investigator J.T. Rose of the Traffic and Crash Team at 919-560-4935 Ext. 29409, as authorities work to prevent such incidents from recurring.
