A Martinsville man, Billy Frietzsche, recently spoke out about a serious incident where he hit and injured a 14-year-old boy at a pedestrian crossing in Greenwood. Frietzsche explained that he could not see the teen because the lights at the crosswalk were not working properly. The incident occurred on Worthsville Road across from Summerfield Park on Aug. 16, at 9 p.m. Frietzsche, a registered nurse, stayed at the scene to help the injured child, who had to be taken to St. Francis Hospital.
Frietzsche emphasized the importance of fixing the broken lights at the crossing to prevent future accidents. He pointed out that the push button for the crosswalk was taped shut and some of the lights were covered or missing. He estimated his speed at 30-40 mph when he hit the teenager and expressed gratitude that the boy survived.
In response to the incident, Frietzsche urged the Greenwood city government to address the issue promptly before another serious accident occurs. A spokesperson for the city government confirmed that they are aware of the broken lights and are working to resolve the issue. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with malfunctioning pedestrian signals and the importance of maintaining safe crossing infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
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