TYLER (KYTX) -
TYLER (KYTX) - "Realized I'd hit a person. I don't know if she was trying to cross or- she was just standing there like she was in a daze. There wasn't anything I could do. It just happened so fast. I hit her."
47-year-old Haskell Richardson says he was on his way to his girlfriend's house driving his 1969 Chevy pickup truck Sunday night. He was on Vine street, about to take a right at the intersection of Glenwood.
"This lady, out of nowhere, just appeared right there as I was getting to the intersection, and I hit her." says Richardson. "Just Southbound, and there wasn't anything I could do. She was just right there."
That woman was 39-year-old Nikeisha Smith of Arlington. Richardson says he called 911 immediately after it happened. Tyler Police say when they arrived on scene, Smith was already dead.
Officer Don Martin says Richardson was not ticketed because technically the light was green and he had the right of way.
"The vehicle will always win in an instance like that."
DPS Trooper Jeanne Dark says that's why using crosswalks at night is so important.
"Being out on the roadway really increases your chance of being struck by a passing vehicle, who may not see you until it's too late."
That's exactly what happened with Richardson. He says his heart goes out for Smith's family and he is keeping them in his prayers.
"I have sympathy for them. And, anything I can do for them. I'm deeply sorry. It was something I just couldn't help."
In the last three months, eight pedestrians have died while crossing East Texas roadways, from urban areas like Troup Highway, to rural roads in Panola and Harrison counties. Law enforcement says in nearly every deadly wreck, the victims were not walking in approved crosswalks.
