“Two Pedestrians Killed in Lexington Crashes: Ansean Jackson and Unidentified Victim”

Two pedestrians were killed in separate crashes in Lexington over the weekend. In the first incident, a vehicle hit a man and fled the scene, while in the second incident, a vehicle collided with a pedestrian on New Circle Road. The number of pedestrian fatalities is on the rise, with 52 fatalities reported in Kentucky this year alone. Fayette County has the highest rate of collisions involving pedestrians in the state. AAA of the Bluegrass advises pedestrians to be cautious and not assume that drivers can see them. The University of Kentucky also urges pedestrians to be vigilant, especially during move-in week. Samantha Valentino reported

In Lexington, Kentucky, two tragic incidents occurred over the weekend resulting in the deaths of pedestrians. The first incident took place on Saturday night at the intersection of West Loudon and North Broadway, where a vehicle collided with a man and fled the scene. Sadly, the victim, identified as 52-year-old Ansean Jackson, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by the Fayette County Coroner. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. The suspected driver, Christopher Parish, aged 40, was apprehended by the police and charged with aggravated DUI.

The second incident occurred early Sunday morning on New Circle Road, when a vehicle struck a pedestrian, resulting in a fatal collision. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed. Marcus Marshall, a 31-year-old resident of Lexington, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid. Authorities located the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run after receiving a tip from one of Marshall’s acquaintances. The vehicle exhibited damage consistent with the collision. Marshall was identified by his friend as the driver at the time of the incident. It is noted that Marshall failed to promptly stop and assess the extent of the pedestrian’s injuries.

These distressing incidents reflect a concerning trend of pedestrian fatalities, which appears to be escalating. Lori Weaver-Hawkins, a spokesperson for AAA of the Bluegrass, revealed that there have already been 52 pedestrian fatalities in Kentucky this year. This number surpasses the figures from last year, with 48 fatalities recorded by this point. In 2022, the state witnessed a total of 96 pedestrian fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been an upward trajectory in pedestrian fatalities since 2012, with 75 pedestrians losing their lives in crashes in 2021 alone.

An analysis conducted by WKYT Investigates using crash data from Kentucky State Police revealed that Fayette County has consistently exhibited the highest rate of collisions involving pedestrians over the past three years, closely followed by Jefferson County. Weaver-Hawkins emphasizes that intersections pose a significant danger for pedestrians, particularly within cities. Therefore, she advises pedestrians to exercise caution and not assume that drivers can see them. Driver inattention emerged as the most prevalent contributing factor in pedestrian collisions in 2021, based on KSP data. Weaver-Hawkins advises pedestrians to utilize designated crosswalks rather than attempting to cross in the middle of the street, even if they have the walk signal.

The University of Kentucky, with its sizable student population of approximately 30,000, witnesses substantial foot traffic. In January, two serious collisions involving pedestrians occurred on campus. Chief Joe Monroe of the University of Kentucky Police Department (UKPD) urges pedestrians to remain vigilant during move-in week, as 6,000 new residents will be occupying the university’s 19 residence halls. Chief Monroe requests both pedestrians and drivers to be mindful of one another, particularly on sidewalks, and advises against distracted behaviors such as eating or running red lights. He also highlights the unique traffic situation at UK, as a federal highway traverses the campus and serves as a gateway to downtown.

The City of Lexington reports a daily traffic volume of over 2 million vehicles on its busiest roads. They urge pedestrians to utilize sidewalks and crosswalks at all times and stress the importance of visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing. While drivers are expected to remain attentive, pedestrians should also avoid distractions and pay close attention to their surroundings..