Driver says man killed in Buena Vista Road wreck ‘fell into roadway’
The 36-year-old driver involved in the fatal wreck on Buena Vista Road that left a pedestrian dead said the man fell into the roadway before he was struck, according to a report from the Columbus Police Department.
James Blue, 55, was pronounced dead of blunt-force trauma at 9:49 p.m. at Midtown Medical Center, said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. His body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab in Decatur for an autopsy.
Officials said they responded the scene two minutes after the 9:05 p.m. wreck. Upon arrival, they spoke to the driver and six witnesses.
The driver, who was traveling in a 2013 Acura ILX, told police he was headed west on Buena Vista Road in the outside lane. As he approached the intersection of Belvedere Drive, Blue “fell into the roadway,” according to the report.
The driver told authorities that he “attempted to swerve over to the other lane, but there was nothing he could do.” That’s when the front fender of the Acura struck the man, authorities said.
Witnesses said the “pedestrian was staggering down the sidewalk and appeared to be intoxicated” prior to the incident.
Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Driver says man killed in Buena Vista Road wreck ‘fell into roadway’."