A Bad Trend

Bad things come in threes. Another pedestrian death; another instance where the police say the driver was not at fault. The police are urging pedestrians to use more care. It can't hurt -- and might also help -- to urge drivers to also be vigilant.

From the HoCo PD:

The Howard County Police Department is investigating a fatal collision that occurred early this morning on Route 108 in Ellicott City. The collision occurred around 5:55 a.m. when a pickup truck traveling northbound on Route 108 struck and killed a pedestrian who was walking in the roadway.

The investigation revealed that a 20 year old male, who has been identified as Brinn Kenastian Green of the 9800 block of Route 108, was walking northbound in the northbound lane of Route 108 just prior to Brothers Partnership Ct. A 2008 Ford F250, being driven by 59-year-old Earnest Wayne Foster of Savage, was unable to avoid Green as he came upon him walking in the slow lane. Green was transported to Howard County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The incident is still under investigation. Preliminarily, police believe the collision was caused by pedestrian error. Police noted that Green was wearing dark clothing in an unlit area of 108 and was walking in the travel portion of the roadway.

Police are advising citizens to be especially vigilant while walking on or near the roadways, especially after dark. This incident is the third pedestrian fatality of 2008, all of which occurred in the evening or early morning hours, and all the victims were wearing dark clothing. Pedestrians who choose to walk on or near roadways should always take precautions, including wearing reflective clothing, walking in well-lit areas after dark and walking against the flow of traffic.