Numbers tell a deadly story for pedestrians in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re on your side with a safety alert about the deadly perils some roads pose for pedestrians in Augusta.
On Wednesday, a man died after being hit by a vehicle on Deans Bridge Road – one of four thoroughfares that for an outsized number of Augusta’s pedestrian deaths in Augusta.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says 52-year-old James King, of Hephzibah, was killed in the crash.
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The numbers tell a story – nearly 100 deaths within the past decade alone in the south Augusta region.
Fifty-three people died on these four roads in the last 10 years: Peach Orchard Road, Mike Padgett Highway, Deans Bridge Road and Gordon Highway.
Fifty deaths occurred between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Augusta isn’t alone, though.
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A new study from AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety found pedestrian deaths have risen by more than 80% in the past 15 years, after reaching a historic low in 2009.
The study found nearly all of that increase can be connected to urban arterial roads – like those four in Augusta we mentioned – after dark.
Research also shows these deadly incidents are more likely to happen in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and on roads with poor lighting.
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And an interesting note from that study to take away – even if you have a high-tech vehicle with pedestrian detection software, that safety system struggles the most at night and can’t be relied upon to save lives.
Only safe driving by you can do that.
As far as Augusta’s latest victim, the Richmond County Coroner’s Office says he was crossing Deans Bridge Road at Barton Chapel Road when he was struck by a vehicle.
His name hasn’t been released yet, but we do know he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday at the Doctors Hospital emergency room.
The preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian “darted into traffic and was struck by the vehicle,” according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
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An autopsy is scheduled and his name will be released once next of kin is notified.
As we mentioned, Deans Bridge is one of the problem roads for pedestrians in Augusta.
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It’s built up a deadly record in the past five years:
- In September of 2024, Troneisha Holiday, 36, of Deans Bridge Road, was riding her bike on Deans Bridge Road south of Morgan Road when she was struck by a vehicle. Holiday was pronounced dead on the scene.
- In June of 2024, John Cummings, 63, of the 2500 block of Dover Street, was struck by a vehicle while riding his power wheelchair on Deans Bridge Road. He was transported to Augusta University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
- In April of 2024, Tony Maurice Walker, 38, of Augusta, was attempting to cross Deans Bridge Road when he was struck. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:33 a.m., according to the coroner.
- In October of 2020, Tyron Cordy, 21, was crossing Deans Bridge Road when he was struck by a car. Cordy was taken to AU Medical Center where he died.
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