Crime & Safety

Man In Wheelchair Hit, Killed Trying To Cross Highway 278

The 55-year-old man's wheelchair got stuck in the crosswalk, though Georgia State Patrol officers say he did not hit the crosswalk signal.

HIRAM, GA — A man in a wheelchair died Monday night after witnesses say his wheelchair got stuck in a crosswalk on Highway 278 near Pace Road, and a car hit him before he could cross the busy intersection.

Around 8:15 p.m. Monday, Jerry Deems, 55, was trying to cross the street at Highway 278 and Pace Road from the north shoulder. A witness, Jessica Echols, told Fox 5 Atlanta that his wheelchair got stuck and several people tried to help him — but had no luck.

A man in another car stopped in an attempt to get Deems across the street, but the light changed before anyone could help him.

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Troopers said he did not use the crosswalk signal and a Chevy Cruze hit him. The driver stopped and everyone around had 911 on the phone, Echols told Fox 5. Deems died on the scene.

Hiram Police Department officers confirmed that they responded to the accident and helped block traffic as Georgia State Patrol investigated the area, but HPD is not involved in the investigation. GSP is the investigating agency.

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Deems' family has been notified, and troopers have not filed charges against the driver.

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