Sad

Report: Lexington firefighter failed to yield right of way in fatal accident; charges unlikely to be filed

A Lexington firefighter driving a city-owned engine truck failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian he then struck and killed in a crosswalk at Main Street and South Broadway on Saturday, according to police documents.

The documents, released Thursday afternoon in response to a Herald-Leader open-records request, were the first to reveal who had the right of way when the accident occurred. Earlier, police and city officials would not say whether Lauren Roady was in the crosswalk or whether the pedestrian crossing signal indicated it was safe to cross.

An accident report and diagram revealed that Roady had a "walk" signal when she was crossing South Broadway at 10:04 p.m. Saturday. At the same time, the Lexington Division of Fire's Engine 9, which was being driven by Christopher Presley, was making a left turn from Main Street onto South Broadway.

The report noted that Roady, who was 5-foot-3 and 120 pounds, was wearing dark clothing and was "not visible." It was raining at the time.