MPD calls for awareness as pedestrian accidents rise in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Whether it’s morning traffic or at night, Memphis Police say too many pedestrians are being hit by cars. Now, law enforcement officers are calling for more awareness behind the wheel and on the street. "Certainly, it is a significant endorphin of how much we need to pay attention and where we are at," said Larry Garner, a jogger. On Wednesday, MPD reported three pedestrians struck by vehicles. Two people were struck in Midtown in two separate incidents, leaving one dead and another in critical condition, and another pedestrian fatality happened on I-240 near South Parkway. Police say it’s a shared responsibility to travel without distractions. "Making sure you don’t have headphones in when you’re walking, making sure that you are not on your cell phone. And that’s whether you’re on foot or in a vehicle. Just making sure you’re paying attention to your surroundings all the time," said Public Information Officer with MPD Theresa Carlson. In 2023, Memphis expanded sidewalks and bike lanes, but Garner still takes extra precautions to stay safe. "In daylight hours, it still helps to have light colors. If I do work out at night, I wear high vis," he stated. MPD urges pedestrians to use crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers, and wait for the right-of-way signal before crossing, and said no one should walk along the interstate. "Cars are going way too fast. It’s just not a safe place to be if you happen to have a breakdown in your car, call police. We can send TDOT to you through our dispatch center, and we can send officers to be out there with you," Carlson mentioned. Carlson added that if you are involved in an accident, it's important to stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement to get to the location to help and make a report.