FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Following two fatal incidents on MLK Jr. Boulevard in Fayetteville on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Monday, Nov. 20, Sergeant Anthony Murphy urges pedestrians and drivers to be extra cautious.
"Try to make eye contact with that driver that's about to turn left if you're crossing in front of them just so that they know that you're going to cross," Murphy said. "Some unspoken eye contact can always help just make sure that the driver knows because they don't always see you even if the individual has the right-of-way to cross at the crosswalk. Be looking out for your own safety and make sure that the driver sees because there is a lot of traffic down there."
According to the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD), officers temporarily closed down the intersection near I-49 and MLK Jr. Boulevard after a crash between a car and a pedestrian killed one and injured another on Nov. 20.
FPD said that just after 6 p.m., a car was driving west down MLK Jr. Boulevard when the driver struck two pedestrians running across the street. A crash report from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, states 66-year-old Gregory Joseph Dana of Fayetteville walked into traffic as he tried to cross the boulevard "where there were no crosswalks or intersection." A 26-year-old woman then ran after Dana trying to stop him, but they were both struck, the report says.
Dana was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital and the woman is injured, according to police. The extent of the woman's injuries is not specified.
"Upon initial investigation, it looks like the vehicle was going under the speed limit, following all the traffic laws, and the individual just ran into the roadway and the driver of the vehicle did not see them instructing," Murphy said.
Two days before, on Saturday, Nov. 18, a cyclist was reportedly killed just down the road when he was hit by a car while traveling over a crosswalk.
Murphy said there were a lot of contributing factors for both wrecks such as daylight savings time and weather. It is getting darker earlier, which could hinder visibility for drivers.
"I would just urge people to cross at crosswalks, especially at night, and wear reflective stuff on your clothing if you're going to be out walking around these major thoroughfares or anywhere around Fayetteville, just so those vehicles can see you," Murphy said.
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