Published: April 16, 2008 10:21 pm         

Police: Interstate highways no place for foot traffic

A 90-year-old man struck by a tractor-trailer on the West Virginia Turnpike has been identified, and State Police are urging people to never walk across — or even along — interstate highways.

Oscar Basham of Jumping Branch was taken to Raleigh General Hospital after the accident late Tuesday morning, Cpl. David Skala said. Basham was later transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center. A hospital operator said Wednesday he was in the intensive care unit and under evaluation.

Skala said Basham was lost when he pulled onto the shoulder of the turnpike a few miles south of Beckley and walked across the highway to ask construction workers in the area for directions. He then walked into the side of a UPS tractor-trailer while crossing the highway to return to his vehicle.

The UPS truck driver, a North Carolina resident, will not be cited, Skala said. The trucker tried to stop and sounded his air horns. The accident, Skala noted, could have been far worse if the driver had not steered the truck the way he did.

Skala noted pedestrian traffic on interstate highways is not allowed. He urged people to never even walk on an interstate highway’s shoulder and especially warned them not to set foot in the traffic lanes. Quite often, drivers will veer into the shoulder, striking motorists pulled over. Police officers conducting traffic stops have also been killed by such drivers.

“That’s why you see signs on interstates that say, ‘No pedestrians, bicycles, horses or mopeds,’” Skala said.

While pulling onto the shoulder in an emergency is OK, troopers have often found people walking alongside the turnpike. Some are tending to disabled vehicles, and others are hitchhiking. Skala said. Those lost on an interstate should wait until they find the nearest exit. Then they should call for help on a cell phone.

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