COVINGTON – A St. Tammany Hospital employee was taken to the emergency room with severe injuries after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing a “well-lit” crosswalk.
According to the Covington Police Department, Merideth Andrews, an employee of St. Tammany Hospital, was leaving the employee parking lot when she struck one of her coworkers, 52-year-old Anfred Tachdjian-McCarthy, with her pickup truck.
Andrews was making a left turn at the intersection of Harrison and Eighth when the accident occurred, according to police. Andrews stopped at the stop sign before turning onto Eighth Avenue and striking Tachdjian-McCarthy.
“Just a couple of feet away from the intersection of 8th and Harrison is a well-marked, well-lit cross walk that also has flashing lights announcing the approach of the crosswalk from both directions,” Chief Tim Lentz said in a press release, describing the area where the accident occurred.
Acadian Ambulance arrived on the scene within two minutes and rendered aid to Tachdjian-McCarthy before taking her to the emergency room with severe injuries, according to police.
“Impairment is not suspected in this tragic accident,” Lentz said in a written statement. “As part of protocol for serious accidents, Andrews was administered a breathalyzer test which registered .000g%. She was subsequently cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.”
