Wheelchair-Bound Man Hit And Killed By Driver In SW OKC

Oklahoma City Police are investigating the 14th deadly auto-pedestrian crash of the year. A man in a wheelchair died on Friday after he was hit by a car on the southwest side of the city. Police said the unidentified victim was crossing mid-block when he was hit.

Police urged the public to always use crosswalks that are lit, avoid wearing dark clothing and have something reflective that drivers can see.

Police said a person driving to work around 6 a.m. on Southwest 29th Steer near South Kentucky Avenue hit the wheelchair bound man. The driver stopped and waited for paramedics and police to arrive. The driver told officers they did not see the person crossing the road.

“We were having heavy rains at that time,” said Msgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department. “He was in dark clothing; a dark roadway makes it very hard to see somebody crossing the street especially at midblock.”

Police said the victim died at the scene and the driver did not show any signs of impairment of intoxication. Police at the scene told News 9 the victim was possibly a homeless man known for staying in that area of southwest Oklahoma City.

Police have not released the victim’s name.