Driver Kills Pedestrian, Crashes Into Walmart
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - One person was killed when a driver sped through traffic and struck a pedestrian waiting for the bus, then crashed into a Walmart store in Lakewood on Tuesday afternoon.
Steve Davis with Lakewood Police told CBS4 that a male driver in his 80s struck a pedestrian and then crashed into the Walmart just after 2 p.m.
Matthew Woods was at work when he saw the vehicle blow past a stop sign, cross Wadsworth Boulevard, and crash into the Walmart across the street.
"It was really heart wrenching to watch that," he said.
According to police, the driver was headed east on 4th Avenue going about 50 miles per hour when he missed a stop sign and crossed seven lanes of traffic without hitting another vehicle. The car then hit an adult male on the sidewalk at a bus stop and the car continued on and crashed into the Walmart.
"How he managed to cross the whole street without hitting a car but hitting a person, very sad," said Woods.
The driver told police he thinks he had a mechanical problem with his car. Investigators will work to determine if that is the case. Police don't believe alcohol or drugs were a factor and the driver did not appear to have a medical episode.
The driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries, and will likely face serious charges.
The pedestrian died at the hospital.
No names have been released.
The Walmart, located on Wadsworth Boulevard south of 6th Avenue, remained open during the investigation because the damage to the building didn't cause any safety concerns.
