According to the Tennessean, a Metro Police officer was killed in a pedestrian accident on Interstate 65 in Nashville on May 10.
The news outlet reported that Officer Michael Petrina, 25, was trying to direct traffic on I-65 in the morning after a pickup overturned while taking the on-ramp from Old Hickory Boulevard. Reports indicated that he was struck by a motor home driven by Dean Joseph Diver, 71, of Key Largo, Florida, who was attempting to navigate a turn.
Although the accident remains under investigation, witnesses said there was nothing Diver could have done to prevent the accident from happening.
Petrina had just graduated from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Academy in September 2013. He is now the 43rd city police officer killed in the line of duty.
Eerily, during training, Petrina was awarded the Christy Dedman Spirit Award for enthusiasm shown, which was named after the last Metro officer killed in the line of duty, who was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 40 in 2004.
Petrina served in the Tennessee Army National Guard and graduated from the University of Memphis with a criminal justice degree.
What Should I Do If My Loved One Is Injured Or Killed in a Nashville Pedestrian Accident?
This accident is truly heartbreaking. In 2012, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported that 1,381 people were involved in pedestrian accidents in Tennessee.
While there may have been nothing Petrina could have done to prevent this accident from happening, if you are commuting by foot, you should always utilize crosswalks in well-lit areas, and wear light-colored and/or reflective clothing.
Additionally, if you experience issues while traveling on an interstate, you should remain in your vehicle and contact roadside assistance or the local police department for help.
Remember, we can help obtain compensation for injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents or the loss of a loved one. This could help pay for medical treatment, rehabilitation and/or putting your family’s life back together.
“…The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1
Davis’ Words of Wisdom: According to NHTSA, in 2011, there were 4,432 fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States.
Source: https://tennessean.com/story/news/local/2014/05/10/i-65-closed-brentwood/8937609/