No charges in accident that killed Landis jewelry store owner

Published 4:43 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2015

LANDIS — The driver involved in the Oct. 21 accident that killed a Landis jewelry store owner will not face charges, Landis Police Chief Bob Wood said.

Fred Talbert, 89, was riding a motorized wheelchair down South Zion Street when he was struck by a passing car. Talbert, a longtime businessman and respected member of the community, died at the scene.

Wood said the driver told authorities she looked down to check her speedometer. She told police that she hit something as she glanced back up at the road, but didn’t realize that she’d struck Talbert, at first.

Landis Police took the evidence of the accident to the Rowan County District Attorney’s office Monday. Wood said the district attorney decided not to file charges.