By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Police officials say no charges have been filed against a driver after a Catawba College sophomore was struck by a car Wednesday night while walking in a pedestrian crosswalk.

The student, Erin Madison Moore, and her roommate were crossing West Innes Street near North Park Drive to the Hollifield Residence Hall around 6:30 p.m. when Moore was hit by a vehicle.

Speed was not a factor, said Police Capt. Shelia Lingle, who added that the driver, Kendra Fulbright, was driving the posted 25 mph limit.

She said Fulbright, 50, of Woodleaf, did not see Moore until it was too late.

Moore did complain of back pain, but her injuries were minor. She was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center where she was treated and released.

Lingle said Moore was walking in the crosswalk when the accident occurred. There are lights along West Innes Street, she said, but it is not as well lit near North Park Drive.

She cautioned drivers and pedestrians to be especially careful at night when traveling along that stretch of road and that each should look both ways before proceeding.

“As a community, we are thankful that our student was not seriously injured and our thoughts and prayers are with her for a speedy recovery. As a community, it is incumbent on each of us to help protect ourselves, even in the protected space of a crosswalk,” said Catawba College spokeswoman Tonia Black-Gold.

Black-Gold said Catawba has made great strides over the last several years to improve crosswalk safety including improved street lighting with new fixtures installed last spring on 11 streetlights on West Innes street located on campus.

She added the college has also improved pedestrian crossing signage as well as successfully petitioned state and local officials to reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph on West Innes Street.

Black-Gold said the college has been in talks with state and city officials about installing rumble strips or speed bumps on West Innes Street in front of the campus, but were told that since U.S. 601 was a major thruway and emergency vehicle route it would not be allowed.

“While we continue to explore options for additional signage and crossing alert mechanisms, last night’s incident reminds us that crosswalk safety is also a matter of personal responsibility,” she said.

Catawba College’s Office of Public Safety offered the following tips to assure safety in crosswalks:

• Always look before you enter a crosswalk;

• Make sure the driver of any vehicle sees you before you enter the crosswalk by making eye contact;

• Don’t be distracted by your phone, either talking or texting, your music, or your conversation with another individual. Put your cell phone away before you enter the crosswalk and until you are safely across the road;

• If using the crosswalks in the evening and wearing dark clothing, be especially vigilant about making sure that oncoming vehicles see you and are stopping as you approach;

• If drivers stop to allow you safe passage, give them a wave, a smile or a nod as a way to both acknowledge their adherence to the law that gives pedestrians in a crosswalk the right of way and to reinforce their law-abiding behavior.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.