Pedestrian killed by car

A pedestrian who was struck by a car yesterday evening (Wednesday) has died from his injuries.

According to witnesses, the 55-year-old man attempted to cross Dawson Street near where it intersects with Oleander Drive. Witnesses said the man failed to yield right of way to heavy oncoming traffic. He was struck by a 2001 Mercedes headed toward downtown. The driver and sole occupant of the car, Luther Thurman Lucas, Jr., age 54, of New Hanover County, was not injured.

The injured pedestrian was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Preliminary tests indicated that he was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Initially he was semi-conscious and was expected to survive, but his condition quickly deteriorated. He died at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening. The identity of the deceased is being withheld tonight because we have not been able to confirm that his next-of-kin have been notified.

No charges will be placed against the driver of the car. This is the second traffic fatality of 2010 in the city of Wilmington.

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