A deadly hit-and-run on Walker Boulevard has finally shaken loose some cash for safety fixes. Knoxville has landed a $15,000 AARP Community Challenge grant to build a raised crosswalk and install flashing warning signs at the crossing in front of Northgate Terrace in the Whittle Springs neighborhood, where a 75-year-old pedestrian was killed earlier this year.
Funding and planned fixes
According to WATE 6 On Your Side, the $15,000 award will cover a raised crosswalk, high-visibility pavement markings, and flashing warning beacons at the Walker Boulevard crossing. City officials told the station they put up temporary signs and lights after meeting on-site with neighbors to review the crash location, and they plan to use the grant for permanent, engineered improvements.
The money comes through AARP's Community Challenge, which is backing hundreds of quick-action projects across the country this year that are focused on pedestrian safety and related improvements.
The crash that prompted action
Per the Knoxville Police Department, officers responded around 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2025, after a vehicle hit a 75-year-old woman who was using the crosswalk on Walker Boulevard in front of Northgate Terrace. She was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center and died of her injuries on Feb. 8, 2025.
Investigators say the vehicle left the scene, heading northbound on Walker Boulevard. Witnesses described it as a silver or white SUV with a black top, possibly a Jeep or Hummer. The investigation remains open.
Neighbors pushed for change
Local advocates and elected officials pressed the city to act in the weeks after the crash. Bike Walk Knoxville organized a Walk with Elected Officials through the Whittle Springs area on April 22, 2025, spotlighting risky crossings along the corridor.
The event brought city staff, representatives from the mayor's office, and transit officials into the neighborhood to see problem spots up close. Advocacy groups have said the AARP grant will help Knoxville move from stopgap measures to a fully engineered crossing meant to protect people walking to nearby schools, parks, and transit stops.
Timeline and what to expect
The city says it will go through its standard engineering and permitting process before building the raised crosswalk and installing the flashing beacons, and the temporary signs and lights will stay in place while designs are finalized.
AARP requires its 2026 Community Challenge grantees to finish work funded by the program by Dec. 15, 2026, which sets a hard deadline for the project. Knoxville officials have not provided a specific construction start date but say residents should see visible changes before the end of the year.
Investigation remains open
No arrests or charges have been announced in connection with the hit-and-run, and police say the case is still active. Anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165; tips may be eligible for a cash reward.
