Pedestrian killed on NW 8th Avenue

Press release from Gainesville Police Department

On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers responded to an accident at the intersection of NW 8th Avenue and NW 10th Street involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

The vehicle was traveling northbound on NW 10th Street when it made a left turn onto NW 8th Avenue, striking a pedestrian who was in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was immediately transported to UF Health Shands, where they were later pronounced dead because of injuries sustained.

GPD’s Traffic Safety Unit continues to investigate this incident. At this time, no charges or citations have been issued.

  • Wonder if the crossing signal was lit. Was distracted driving a factor.
    It is tragic someone lost their life to a vehicle making a turn but one has to wonder about other mitigating factors. High speed turn? Before throwing blame at the driver let’s not forget that pedestrian traffic has rules as well.

    • This is a terrible accident…I know the intersection, accidents happen and you’re right, “pedestrian traffic has rules” too…you’re not supposed to be walking or running into traffic while crossing at a crosswalk if you don’t have the crossing signal. Even then, I’m still careful
      and only proceed to cross when it’s safe in all directions.

      On another note concerning public safety: this is why law enforcement must keep
      Panhandlers out of street medians because they
      Are not intended for illegal commerce, so it’s not a free
      speech issue. If a panhandler gets injured in the median,
      The city or county should be liable too if they failed
      To keep the un-permitted activity out of it. I see the
      Panhandlers in the median, you know law enforcement
      Sees it…if law enforcement is complicit, they should be held liable
      Too…it’s a public safety issue. There should be zero
      Tolerance for panhandlers in the median. Where’s the
      County spokesperson on this?

      • There’s panhandlers that need to be kept out of the
        Median on 39th & Waldo Road…just down the street
        From the Alachua County Jail & Grace Marketplace.
        With all the cop cars passing that intersection, you
        Would think the issue would be solved. They panhandle there at night with dark clothes on too
        And sometimes bring chairs…they leave their trash
        Too.,.someone from the city or county needs to address this public safety issue and resolve it.

  • 😞 Very sad… I drive that road often… We rarely hear about the outcome of the investigations into these deaths. It might be good to know what happened, so we can try to prevent the same thing from happening again.

  • Blind spots happen in front corner of the windshield too. I bet that’s what this was, but still inexcusable for the driver not to slow down and LOOK around the blind spot* before turning. Driver lessons should teach about the *A pillar blind spot between the windshield and front side windows, which is most dangerous when a pedestrian (vertical walking subject) is hidden as the car turns.

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