A 74-year-old pedestrian sustained serious injuries after being struck while using a crosswalk on Broad Street in Rome, Georgia on Wednesday morning. According to Floyd County Police, the incident occurred at the intersection of Broad Street and East Sixth Avenue when 55-year-old Heather Marie Erb allegedly drove her vehicle into the crosswalk while the pedestrian crossing sign was active. Authorities report that Erb, a Rome resident, was under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the collision. The elderly victim, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, suffered multiple fractures as a result of the impact. Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene and transported the injured pedestrian to a local hospital for immediate medical treatment. Erb was subsequently arrested and is now facing multiple charges, including a felony count of serious injury by vehicle. She is currently being held at the Floyd County Jail pending further legal proceedings.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision took place at one of Rome's main thoroughfares at the intersection of Broad Street and East Sixth Avenue, a busy corridor in the heart of downtown Rome. This area typically experiences heavy foot traffic due to its proximity to local businesses, restaurants, and government buildings. The intersection is equipped with designated crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals designed to allow safe passage across the multi-lane Broad Street. Despite these safety measures, this corridor has been known to present challenges for pedestrian safety, particularly during peak traffic hours when driver attentiveness may be compromised. The area's mix of vehicle traffic and pedestrian movement creates a complex traffic environment that requires heightened awareness from all road users, especially given the downtown setting where pedestrians frequently need to cross major streets.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, pedestrians in marked crosswalks with active signals have the right of way, and drivers are legally required to yield. Violations resulting in injury, as in this case, can lead to serious criminal charges, including felony serious injury by vehicle (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-394), which carries potential imprisonment of 1-15 years. For victims of such accidents, Georgia's personal injury laws allow for potential compensation including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. The injured pedestrian generally has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Georgia's statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Additionally, Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation may be reduced if the injured party is found partially at fault, but recovery is barred if they are 50% or more responsible. Consulting with a personal injury attorney promptly is advisable to protect legal rights.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Floyd Medical Center: (706) 509-5000
• Rome Police Department: (706) 238-5111
• Floyd County Police Department: (706) 235-7766

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996
• Rome-Floyd County Safe Communities Coalition

Support for Accident Victims:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 547-0060
• Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission: (404) 651-5112
• Georgia Legal Aid: (833) 457-7529

State Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• Georgia Department of Driver Services: dds.georgia.gov
• Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): www.georgiapublicnotice.com/title-40