Push for sidewalks after pedestrian killed

TYLER — There are 14 sidewalk projects in the planning stage which are expected to start construction within the year. This is due to a fatal crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian shut down all northbound and southbound lanes in the 1400 block of East Gentry Parkway on Wednesday.

According to Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the scene at approximately 3:34 p.m. on Wednesday. Responding officers found a woman who was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. The woman who was hit was then taken to a local hospital for treatment but she succumbed to her injuries. Tyler PD has since identified the crash victim as 44-year-old Lindsey Null.

The driver from Wednesday’s fatal crash also hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and is not expected to face charges at this time.

The Tyler Police Department said Null was not crossing at a designated crosswalk when she was struck. A Tyler resident who was nearby when the crash happened said Null’s death was tragic and that the city should be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“We heard a commotion and looked and saw police giving her CPR but she wasn’t responding. It was just a really tragic thing to see,” Jedith Perez with Perez Tax Services said. “Definitely we need for more safety for the pedestrians, even those on bikes or just walking to work.”

Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said pedestrians should take the extra time to make sure they’re crossing at an intersection, where vehicles are stopped.

“So if you have to cross the road, it may take you an extra five minutes. It may take you a little longer, but at least you can cross where traffic stops or has more ability to see you when they’re stopped at an intersection,” Erbaugh said. “Even if you’re at a crosswalk, you still have to, as a pedestrian, don’t assume cars are going to stop. You have the right of way but especially a lot of people where they have an issue is if they are turning right onto a road, but the person has the right of way, because they don’t see them coming.”