Rick Sweeney

Jefferson man struck by car, killed along U.S. 60

A pedestrian was killed after he was hit by a car while walking on U.S. 60 in Jefferson.

Police say Richard Sweeney, 58, of Jefferson, died after he was struck by a white Buick traveling westbound near the intersection of Kanawha Terrace and U.S. 60, near Shockers Showbar, Kanawha County Sheriff's Department dispatchers said.

The accident happened Sunday (December 30) about 7:46 p.m., dispatchers said.

Authorities said Sweeney died at the scene.

The driver of the Buick, identified by police as 74-year-old Jack Reynolds of St. Albans, was not injured, dispatchers said.

The sheriff's department still is investigating.

Sgt. Scott Elkins said Sunday he didn't know whether Reynolds would face charges.

"The victim was dressed in dark pants and a dark coat," Elkins said.

The body and car were in the middle of the road, which was closed for more than an hour as authorities investigated.

Tony Totten, who lives on nearby Lee Street, said he saw the man walking west on the side of the road shortly before he was hit. Totten said he didn't see the impact, but he heard it.

"I dialed 911," he said. "The driver was very shaken up."

Chief Mark Ford, of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, said there were three or four other incidents this year involving a pedestrian being hit on that stretch of U.S. 60.

"It's just hard to see," he said. "The intersections are lit up, but some of the other areas are not."

~ Charleston Daily Mail ~

Monday, December 31, 2007