DAVIDSON, N.C. -- A garbage truck struck and killed a woman and a dog at Main and South Streets in Davidson Friday afternoon.
Davidson police say pedestrian and dog were hit and killed by trash truck @wcnc pic.twitter.com/cNgIekbVxC
— Mark Boyle (@WCNCmboyle) April 1, 2016
The victim, a mother of four, owns a business called Davidson Pet-Sitting Services. She was struck while walking a client's dog. The victim has been identified as Janet McFadden.
Rebecca Powell was an employee and long-time friend of family. She says her heart breaks for the kids who lost their mom.
"She has four kids. I hurt and fell for all four of them. I am so sorry. You don't ever think it's gonna be someone you know, and someone with such a huge heart-- really generous, kind woman," Powell said.
Police have charged the driver of the Republic Services Trash truck, Jeffrey Willburn, with misdemeanor death by vehicle.
Republic Services released the following statement Friday afternoon:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this morning's incident, especially our driver who is understandably distraught. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as part of their ongoing investigation. At this time, we are referring all media inquiries to local law enforcement."
Neither speed nor alcohol are contributing factors in the incident, police say.
A Davidson professor was killed on a Davidson Street back in 2011. Police say just two weeks ago they installed pedestrian controlled signals at South and Main Streets to prevent something like this from happening. The city is now investigating if the traffic and crosswalk lights at the intersection were working properly.
