Pedestrian Tales From the Middle of the Road, #38

Pedestrian Tales From the Middle of the Road, #38

Well, we’ve had a bit of a break in our series- but we’ve got another installment of my wildly popular Pedestrian Tales From the Middle of the Road series today.  This one- the 38th overall- is the very first one to feature a story of a motorcycle vs. pedestrian accident.

Spoiler alert:  The motorcycle won- but one life was lost and another forever changed.  May the Lord provide comfort to the family and friends of Mr. Vazquez- and may He bring healing and counsel to Mr. Gibbs.

This is yet another tragedy we could surely call “preventable”.  That prevention, however, depends on better efforts from law enforcement towards enforcing our pedestrian safety laws.  This is also another death under the watch of Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.

Pedestrian killed in weekend crash with motorcycle in Orlando

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel

A 23-year-old pedestrian died after he was struck by a motorcycle while crossing Semoran Boulevard in Orlando over the weekend, police said.

Orlando police say Edgardo Luis Vazquez was trying to cross Semoran in the crosswalk at the intersection of Curry Ford Road about 7 a.m.

A witness told police Vazquez walked about halfway across, then began running to cross the southbound lanes ahead of an oncoming motorcycle.

The motorcycle struck Vazquez, police say, and the pedestrian and the motorcyclist came to rest about 100 to 150 feet south of the intersection.

Vazquez and the motorcyclist, 32-year-old Stephen Gibbs, were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Vazquez was pronounced dead.

A preliminary police report indicates that Gibbs had a green light to cross the intersection, and Vazquez was walking against a “no crossing” light.

Police say no charges are pending in the crash.  Gibbs suffered serious injuries, but was listed in stable condition at ORMC, a police report said.

Pedestrian Tales From the Middle of the Road, #38