February 6, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A woman on a bicycle was injured Friday afternoon after she crossed into the path of a motorist and was struck on Highway 70 near the high school.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old girl was traveling westbound on US 70 in a 2021 Nissan Kick when the bicyclist, 31-year-old Zara Melton, who had been stationary on the westbound shoulder of Highway 70, tried to cross to the eastbound shoulder into traffic and was struck by the car. After impact the Nissan Kick came to a controlled final rest in the center continuous turning lane. Melton then walked from the left lane of travel to the westbound shoulder of the highway. According to the THP, Melton was attempting to cross five lanes of traffic at a location that is not a designated crosswalk.
The driver of the car was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident and was not hurt.