Pedestrian Killed Crossing Highway

OCEAN CITY – Tragedy
struck in Ocean City last weekend when a 22-year-old Anne Arundel County man
was struck and killed trying to cross Coastal Highway around 36th
Street in the first pedestrian fatality of the summer season in the resort.

The Ocean City Police
Department this week continue to investigate a fatal pedestrian accident that
claimed the life of Zackary Gerald Knight, 22, of Anne Arundel County, early
last Saturday morning. The preliminary investigation revealed around 1:36 a.m.
last Saturday, Knight was attempting to cross Coastal Highway from east to west
in the area of 36th Street when he was struck by a vehicle traveling
south on the highway.

According to police
reports, the collision did not occur at an intersection or marked crosswalk.
The driver of the vehicle, whose name has not been released, remained at the
scene. The driver was determined to be sober and no charges are pending at this
time.

Ocean City paramedics
treated Knight at the scene and he was transported by Maryland State Police
helicopter to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he died of injuries
sustained in the crash. The fatal pedestrian accident was the first of the year
in Ocean City.

The OCPD is reminding
citizens to use caution when crossing streets and roadways. Pedestrians should
always use well-marked crosswalks controlled by pedestrian lights and are urged
to take their time and be alert when crossing the highway. The OCPD is also
recommending adults hold children’s hands when crossing.

Last week’s fatal
pedestrian accident came just one week after the OCPD announced its Be Safe,
Beach Smart-Walk with Wisdom and Bike with Brains campaign for the summer
season. The program reminds residents and visitors of important safety tips to
use when crossing the highway or riding a bicycle in the resort.

The program also
provides information for drivers in Ocean City including tips about sharing the
resort’s roadways with pedestrians, bicycles and scooters. The Walk with
Wisdom-Bike with Brains campaign will provide safety information on a weekly
basis from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which will be released through the OCPD’s
Community Outreach email program and the department’s official blog.