An Elizabethton man was struck by a vehicle as he crossed a busy city street Sunday evening but refused medical attention despite the advice of emergency responders at the scene of the accident.
Around 8 p.m. Sunday evening, the Elizabethton Police Department and Carter County Rescue Squad were called to the 100 block of Hudson Drive near Pizza Inn after a 911 caller reported a pedestrian had been struck by a car.
The pedestrian was later identified by police as 33-year-old Jonathon Cook, of 1105 Bristol Highway, Elizabethton. Police identified the driver of the vehicle as Vickie Little, 75, of Elizabethton.
When EPD Cpl. James Sexton arrived on the scene he spoke with Little regarding the accident and she told the officer that a man had crossed the road in front of her vehicle.
“Mrs. Little said she was not able to avoid a collision with the subject,” Sexton said. “Mrs. Little said (Cook) crossed the street from the West side near Pizza Inn and walking to the East side of the roadway towards CVS Pharmacy. (Cook) was not using a crosswalk.”
The front passenger side of Little’s Nissan struck Cook as he crossed the street, Sexton said, adding the car sustained damage to the right front fender, right side mirror and windshield.
“I spoke with the male subject, Johnathon Cook, and observed a laceration and contusion on the right side of his forehead,” Sexton said. “Mr. Cook said he did not remember what happened.”
“Carter County EMS responded and advised Mr. Cook that he needed immediate medical attention at a hospital but Mr. Cook refused transport and treatment,” Sexton added.
Sexton said his investigation into the accident revealed that Cook had crossed the road in Little’s path of travel and was struck by the vehicle.
“Mr. Cook was determined to be at fault for failing to use a crosswalk that was available less than 300 feet away,” Sexton said.