Female pedestrian struck by vehicle dies
A 55-year-old woman died Wednesday night from injuries she suffered when she was struck by a vehicle while she was crossing Olive Avenue.
The Porterville Police Department said the collision occurred at just after 5 p.m. at Olive Avenue and Dameron Street. According to police, the woman was in the crosswalk when she was struck.
Police said Emaida Valencia, 55 of Porterville, died at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where she was taken by helicopter following the incident.
According to police, the woman was crossing the busy street when she was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by a 22-year-old man. According to one witness, the woman was thrown several feet from the collision.
“We hear the noises every day,” of vehicles screeching their tires to avoid pedestrians said Hamid Sotoodeh, owner of Lucky Specialty and Wholesale who witnessed the collision.
He said the woman was from the neighborhood and frequented his store often.
“This has been going on for a long time,” added Sotoodeh of the dangerous crossing. “The city needs to do something,” he added.
He said cars travel that area of Olive very fast and it is difficult for pedestrians to cross. The speed limit at that spot is 35 mph.
Witnesses reported that the motorist appeared to be traveling at or below the posted speed limit and police said alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the collision.
Police closed Olive Avenue in both directions for several hours. The collision is under the investigation of the Major Accident Investigation Team of the Porterville Police Department.
Any witnesses to the collision are urged to contact Officer Carl Jordan at 782-7400.
In a second pedestrian incident on Wednesday, a 69-year-old female suffered minor injuries when she was struck by an off-duty Porterville Police Detective who was eastbound on Morton Avenue at Villa Street.
Police said the off-duty officer stopped at a red light, then made a southbound turn onto Villa Street and did not see a pedestrian crossing Villa Street within the crosswalk, against the red light. The unmarked police vehicle collided with the shopping cart and the impact forced her to the ground.
The incident occurred at 7:49 a.m.
The woman was treated at the hospital for minor abrasions and a complaint of pain. The detective was not injured.
The investigation is being conducted by the California Highway Patrol.
