Pickup Hits and Kills Gary W. Bess of Norfolk on Tidewater Drive

Norfolk’s Tidewater Drive is notorious for accidents involving pedestrians. In many cases drivers are going too fast or not paying attention. I was saddened to read about a recent case in which a 62-year-old man died when he was hit by a Chevrolet pickup truck.

The Virginian-Pilot reported on how Gary W. Bess Sr. of Norfolk was using a crosswalk when he was struck by the pickup. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Bess was using a walker to cross the road at 5.40 a.m. on Wednesday. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.

The driver of the pickup remained at the accident scene, according to police reports. Initial accident reports suggested the pickup was traveling north in the 5600 block of Tidewater Drive when it hit the pedestrian. It’s not yet known if the driver will be charged. Police said the results of their investigation will be given to the commonwealth attorney for review and consideration of the charges. WAVY.com reported the City of Norfolk was going to improve the crosswalk in the wake of the fatal accident.

This is not the first time that a pedestrian has been mown down and killed on Tidewater Drive in Norfolk. The road has a very poor record of accidents involving pedestrians. In 2013, a driver claimed the life James Gregory Camp in Norfolk. He was also disabled and was in a wheelchair. A woman was injured in another serious accident on Tidewater Drive in September, 2013.

There are certain rules relating to crosswalks in Virginia that drivers need to abide to. The law of Virginia states:

A. The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway:

1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;

2. At any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block;

3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

If you have lost a loved one on a crosswalk in Virginia, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the insurance policy of the at-fault driver. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has represented many people who have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one. Call us for a free consultation at 757.455.0077.