Woman killed in crosswalk

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — A woman was killed by an oncoming vehicle as she crossed the road at Boardman Avenue at Kennedy Middle School this morning.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene at about 6:30 a.m. in reference to a traffic accident with injuries.

Emergency responders found the woman laying lifeless on the pavement and a wrecked red pickup truck parked near her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released by police pending notification of next of kin.

The woman was killed while she was walking in the crosswalk near the Gallup Police Department. The crosswalk had just been painted with lines Sunday by city crews.

“The driver indicated he did not see the pedestrian at the crosswalk,” Deputy Police Chief John Allen said.
Allen did not say whether the driver would be cited in connection with the crash.

“The investigation continues,” he said.

The woman was not a student and had no affiliation with nearby Kennedy Middle School, JFK Middle School Principal Sammy Orr said. The collision occurred well before school hours.

“That crosswalk has always been a concern,” Orr said. “ ... It’s a very busy street. It’s very sad.”

Orr was not certain if police would beef up security around the crosswalk because of the fatality this morning.

He did indicate a flashing sign that reads “15 mph” is activated between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. – minutes before the crash.

The crosswalk has been known as dangerous area for some time as documented in an article published in the Gallup Independent Oct. 10, particularly because of the high volume of traffic that flows to and from the school.

Police officials had expressed concern Oct. 9 that the crosswalk was not properly designated. Officials contacted the state highway department at least three times and asked when proper lines would be put in place.

Allen said the crosswalk was finally painted Sunday by city crews.