Two Elderly Men Struck While Crossing Street

Oneida, TN (2011-02-03) Two elderly Scott County men were seriously injured Thursday night after being struck by a car while trying to cross Alberta Street near Third Street in Oneida.

Hubert Davis, 85, of Oneida and Edgar Bushman, 87, of Winfield were both struck by a passenger car Thursday night, as the pair attempted to cross the street in front of West Murley Funeral Home in Oneida. According to a report filed by Cpl. Gerry “Greasey” Garrett of the Oneida Police Department, Davis and Bushman were attempting to cross the street, when the pair was struck by a northbound 1992 Chevy Lumina. The driver of the car, identified as Bobby Allen West, 55, of Huntsville reportedly claimed he didn’t see the men crossing the street near the dimly lit intersection.

While the accident is still under investigation, preliminary reports from the scene indicate Davis and Bushman were struck near the center edge of the northbound lane, resulting in both men being tossed onto the pavement in the turning lane. Both men were transported from the scene by the Scott County Ambulance Service. Davis, who reportedly sustained the most serious injuries, was later airlifted to U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville. He was reportedly admitted into the hospital’s intensive care unit with multiple skeletal fractures, including a broken leg, several broken ribs, and facial fractures. Bushman was reportedly taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center of Scott County.

Cpl. Garrett was assisted on the scene by Sgt. Brian Boshears of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, along with fellow officers William Angel and Don Massengale. The Oneida Fire Department provided traffic control at the scene.

The accident is still under investigation. At this time, no charges have been filed against the driver. As a matter of procedure, authorities performed a blood analysis on the driver. Speed, stated authorities, was not a factor in the accident.