Atlanta, Georgia news channel 11alive reports that Stephanie Davis, aa 18-year-old Emory University student, was killed last Friday night when she was struck by a car while crossing the stress near the intersection of Mason Mill Road and Houston Mill Road in Atlanta. The area is very close to Emory University’s campus.
Only six months ago, The Stokes News in North Carolina reported that Davis, a West Stokes High School senior at the time, had received a scholarship to attend college at Emory University. She was a native of King, NC, and a freshman at Oxford College of Emory University. Oxford College dean Stephen Bowen said the following in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that I must inform you that freshman Stephanie Davis died this morning from injuries sustained in a car/pedestrian accident last night near the Emory Atlanta campus. Her parents were with her this morning. Chaplain Lyn Pace will organize an Oxford community memorial service for Stephanie with more information being available in the next few days.”
“It always brightened my day to see her,” said Libba Cooper, a friend of Davis and member of King Moravian Church. “We’d always talk about her going to Emory. She was thrilled to have gotten into that school.”
Davis volunteered at her church and participated in the youth group, church members said. Sunday school teacher Jennifer Sealy said, “She was always a leader. I know she’s in good hands, and we’re going to miss her.”
A reader at 11alive.com commented, “I drive through this area several times a week and although there are several crosswalks established (with traffic lights) many students, faculty, and medical personnel attempt to cross the roads either against the light or outside of the crosswalks. Spending a little extra effort to use the crosswalk may help save a life.”
The Emory Wheel campus newspaper reported that Davis darted out into traffic and was struck by a Toyota RAV4 at 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, according to the motor vehicle accident report. Davis was rushed to the Emory University Hospital emergency room and transferred to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment of traumatic brain injury. She was pronounced dead at 11:11 a.m.
According to the report, Davis “sprinted in front of the vehicle in an attempt to cross ahead of it.” The driver, also an Emory student, was unable to stop. The driver had a green light, and there was no indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. No charges were filed against the driver. The investigation is ongoing.
The location of the accident is a windy, hilly residential area near campus. According to a friend, Davis was visiting a friend’s house near campus and walking to a party. According to the accident report, there were no signs that Davis was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Even though the driver was apparently not at fault, other factors – such as inadequate lighting, for instance – could have contributed to the accident.
Several fatal pedestrian accidents have occurred in Atlanta lately. In fact, Atlanta has been ranked as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians.
If you have been seriously injured in an Atlanta pedestrian accident, contact an experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer immediately. You may be entitled to compensation. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.