Girl Injured When Struck By Car

 
By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—A 14-year-old girl was injured when she was struck by a vehicle in a downtown Paris intersection Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred in the crosswalk at the North Market and West Wood Streets intersection in front of the former Wallin Hardware Store.
Paris Police Chief Chuck Elizondo reminded drivers and pedestrians that the area around the courthouse in downtown Paris is especially congested. He reminded everyone of the need for safety in that area.
According to the report, the girl was transported to Henry County Medical Center by the EMS with injuries to her knees, feet, shoulder, hip and side. No condition report was available from HCMC.
A vehicle driven by Christopher Trudeau, age 35, of 610 E. Wood St., was traveling eastbound on West Wood Street, making a turn onto North Market St. Trudeau told officers he did not see the girl in the crosswalk until he was about ready to hit her.
Trudeau told officers he tried to swerve, but still struck her with the right side of his front bumper.
Witnesses said the light at the intersection was red on North Market Street and that the girl was crossing the street from the courthouse toward Market Street. They said she was halfway through the crosswalk when she was struck.
Elizondo said signs have been placed around the court square to remind everyone to slow down and cross the streets only in cross walks, “but we can put up all the signs in the world and some people aren’t going to pay attention to them. But we ask that people be especially careful downtown. It’s very congested. Don’t jaywalk. Only cross in the cross walks. Don’t drive too fast. Just be careful.”