Prayers Needed: Witness to Pedestrian Fatality

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ^ | 03 OCT 03 | dcbryan1

[DCBryan1]

Pedestrian killed on University Avenue

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

A woman was killed Thursday night when a pickup hit her while she was trying to cross University Avenue near the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus, Little Rock police said.

Witnesses said the woman was walking west on 32nd Street about 8:30 p.m. when the southbound pickup struck her. The driver then lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median and hit an iron fence on the east side of the road. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene.

The pickup driver was taken to a Little Rock hospital, but information about his condition was not immediately available.

The names of neither has been released.

This story was published Friday, October 03, 2003

[DCBryan1]

I am finishing up my MBA at UALR and we got out last night at 8:30. A teacher with the Educational Leadership Department (who was just engaged last week) was hit and killed in the pedestrian crosswalk that I was just pulling up to after class.

The light was red at University Avenue and 32nd Intersection. She was walking west in the pedestrian crosswalk when a southbound Chevy S10 extended cab pickup hit her. I estimate the guy was doing 60+ through the stop light....Crime scene guys say 80+. The lady was instantly and brutally killed (dismembered).

The driver (unfortunately) was unhurt and is a 21 year old with prior DWI(s), prior reckless driving, racing, and speeding convictions (and had warrants also)...was apparently drunk at the time. A couple of passer-bys and myself tried to render aid to the instantly killed woman, and then restrained the suspect until police arrived.

The woman was in her mid-to late 30's and was just engaged last week. She is a native from Texas and has been at UALR for the last couple of years and was looking forward to getting married.

Any condolances, questions, and gifts can be answered by the UALR Educational Leadership division later this afternoon. I plan on taking flowers and The Cross to the accident site, and up to her office this afternoon.

I'll have names as soon as next of kin are notified and names made public. I just think that the fiance, family, and co-workers of this woman needed a few Freeper prayers.

Thanks,

DCBryan1

[muawiyah]

Thank you for helping. You, too, need some prayers. Way back in college, I gave up my blanket to cover the body of a talented young cellist whose bicycle was struck by a pickup in front of my dormitory.

[Dog Gone]

What an awful incident to witness.

[DCBryan1]

Her name was Rhonda Sue Lewis.

[Mr. Bird]

DC, you may be dealing with this for a while. I saw a tractor trailer going 35mph hit a college student walking across a road (believe it or not, he didn't "look both ways"). It never has completely left me, but it was very vivid and disturbing for several weeks afterward.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh Bryan, I'm so sorry. I'll be praying for her family AND for you...!!!

[Darksheare]

Dear God.
Peace to you, there wasn't anything to do except what you did do.

[sweetliberty]

Must have been a terrible thing to witness anyway. God bless you for sending the flowers and erecting the cross.

[sweetliberty]

BTW Chris, if there is anything we can do (as in Hog Wild FReepers) please let us know. Sorry you're having to go through this. I will keep you and Miss Rhonda's family in my prayers.

[Travelgirl]

So sorry this happened. Thanks, Bryan, you are a good person. Good luck with your studies.

[VRWC_minion]

Talk this out with as many people that will listen. As somoeone who was first on the scene of a double fatality it will affect you. In fact the responders in my town always have special meeting the day after a fatal for the people who were there so they can share and talk it out.

Don't assume you are not deeply affected.

[hope]

My 15 year old daughter and I both witnessed a similar situation with a motorcyclist.. It has been 2 years and is still very vivd for the both of us.

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to DCBryan1.

DCBryan1-my prayer go out to the family who loved her, and to you.

Blessings,
trussell

[SAMWolf]

Prayers offered.

[EternalVigilance]

Praying for Rhonda's family and intended and you, friend.

[RnMomof7]

How awful . I will say a prayer for the woman

It is a shock to witness such an event..it replays in your head over and over.

It is kind of you to request prayer for her..you too will be remember

Prayer bump

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Offering my prayers

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, only Your love and comfort can cover this great tragedy, and I pray that You will do so. Thank You for those who went to the aid of this young woman, and then restrained the driver. Theirs was heroic action in the face of such horror ... may each work through the events and find acceptance. Let not justice be set aside ~ may the courts honor the life of this young woman. Comfort her family, I pray ... and all those who were witness ... send alongside those who are needed to help each one, for great is their sorrow. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[Alamo-Girl]

I'm so sorry to hear of this tragedy! My prayers go to all who loved her and to you and the others suffering under the weight of this tragedy.

[Tribune7]

prayer bump