Blind Tucson Vet, Hit By Truck, Calls For Longer Crossing Signal

TUCSON, AZ — A blind Tucson veteran who was hit by a car at an intersection near the Tucson VA Hospital has called for the pedestrian crossing signal to be longer, according to a report.

Tim Lucas was staying at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the hospital for a period of time in 2018, KVOA reported, and he would go out regularly for lunch. "I would leave the facility for lunch and go and pick something on this strip to eat," Lucas told the outlet.

One day in November, as he was crossing the street at Veterans Boulevard and Sixth Avenue when he was hit by a pick-up truck, shattering his collar bone, shoulder, hip and leg, KVOA reported. Now, he's calling for the pedestrian signal to be extended.

However, the outlet reported, Tucson Department of Transportation traffic engineer Blake Olofson said all crossings are based on national standards and that there was enough time. He added that they've even extended that particular signal to accommodate the hospital's patients.

Read more and see a video at KVOA.