RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Police are investigating a fatal crash that closed westbound Midlothian Turnpike, near Erich Road, Wednesday morning.
Police said a driver fatally struck a pedestrian, though no additional information has been released at this time.
State Delegate Mike Jones, who represents parts of South Richmond in the Virginia General Assembly, was walking his dog when he saw the police activity.
“I walk this corridor with my dog every single day and night, and cars are driving fast. If you come down this road, you know people are crossing back and forth. And so for something like this to happen on a school morning where families are walking their kids along the streets and getting to school and just people just out, just getting their day started. Now this is the last thing you want to be introduced to,” Jones said.
He said, in his experience, many drivers need to do a better job paying attention while behind the wheel.
“It starts with the drivers. Drivers must be aware of where they are. Don’t be distracted. Be alert of what’s going on, and slow down,” he said. “Second we need road designs shifted. I dealt with that on my time with City Council, that these roads are designed to go faster than what’s posted. That has to change, but then these streets have got to be lit up. Some of these lights, they go on and off at different times. It’s darker now a little bit more in the morning, gets darker, a little earlier in the evening, and so this area has got to be lit up.”