Pedestrians struck in Nelson

The Nelson Police Department says it’s amazing that no one was killed after two pedestrians were struck this week in separate incidents.

“Miraculously, none of the injured pedestrians have suffered life threatening injuries,” Acting Sgt. Brian Weber said in a news release. “As the days get shorter and the driving conditions deteriorate with the coming winter, police urge you to slow down, be vigilant and drive as if lives depend on your driving abilities. ”

Man, dog struck

On Sunday, a man in his mid-70s was walking his dog when a car began turning left from Josephine Street onto Front Street.  The driver didn’t notice the man and his dog.

“As the dog disappeared beneath the car the pedestrian clung to the leash and shouted at the driver to stop,” Weber said.

The man was struck next and knocked down and both he and the dog ended up underneath the car. But by the time officers arrived, both were on their feet. Both were bruised and the dog had a few cuts, but both were “surprisingly unscathed for having been through such a harrowing incident,” Weber said.

Weber said the man was reluctant to allow paramedics take him to the hospital and leave his dog behind, but eventually agreed to go while officers cared for his dog and later delivered it to his home. The man was released from hospital and was home that evening.

The following day the man was again walking his dog around the city and went to the police station to thank officers for caring for his dog.

“As the days get shorter and the driving conditions deteriorate with the coming winter, we urge you to slow down, be vigilant and drive as if lives depend on your driving abilities. ”

Speeding driver arrested

Early Tuesday, a woman was hit by a speeding car in the 600 block of Vernon Street.  Witnesses reported that after charging through the intersection at Hall Street and striking the woman, narrowly missing two others, the vehicle continued along without slowing.

Further down Vernon Street, two other people had to run to get out of the car’s way.  Police and ambulance attended to find the woman injured on the pavement.  She was stabilized at the scene and taken to hospital.

Police located the driver shortly after the incident. The local man was arrested and is expected to face numerous charges. Police say alcohol was involved.

” Miraculously, the woman is now at home recovering from her injuries,” Weber said. “She is understandably distressed.”