Unlicensed Driver Hits 16-Year-Old Pedestrian Crossing Street

A 16-year-old girl went to Shannon Medical Center this morning after an unlicensed driver struck her as she crossed Main and Preusser Streets.

San Angelo Police Officer Tracy Gonzalez said dispatch received a call at 10:43 a.m. regarding a major crash involving a pedestrian and one vehicle in the area.

“Officers responded and located a pedestrian [who] was struck, and the victim is 16-years-old,” said Gonzalez. “She was reported to have incapacitating injuries. She was transported to Shannon Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.”

Gonzalez said the driver of the vehicle was not injured, but “understandably shaken up.”

“I want to make it clear though that the driver did not see the pedestrian; and, after feeling something strike her vehicle, she did look and noticed the victim get up and cross over. The driver did stop,” Gonzalez stated.

The driver immediately stopped and checked on the teenager’s welfare, and she did exactly what she was supposed to do, Gonzalez added.

"We want to give her credit for that,” she said.

As for the victim, she did not cross at a designated cross walk or painted area, and it appears she was crossing west to east. She was heading to a business in the area.

“That’s when she was struck by the vehicle,” said Gonzalez.

Officer Gonzalez said the vehicle was coming off of Preusser, and turning left to go southbound on Main.

At this time, it has not been established if the driver was distracted. However, she was “open and honest” and told officers she was putting on her sunglasses at the stop sign. Officers were also granted permission to look at the woman’s cell phone, and there was no activity at the time of the crash.

Gonzalez said she can’t clarify if the driver was distracted by the sunglasses since the driver was in the process of traveling southbound.

A citation will be issued at a later date. Gonzalez confirmed the driver does not have a license to drive.