Suffolk, Va. - Suffolk police have charged 40-year-old Ramashani Bakari with driving on a suspended license after they say he slammed into 64-year-old Betty Jean Artis as she was trying to cross West Constance Road in her motorized wheelchair.
NewsChannel 3 found that Bakari had his license suspended in July 2007 in Norfolk after a second DUI arrest. Betty Jean Artis's friends say this accident could have been prevented.
"Like those driving on a suspended license, they need to do something about them. Instead of keep on giving them breaks and they just keep on doing it over and over and over," said Edward Daniels, who uses the crosswalk.
Witnesses say moments before the accident the driver was on a cell phone. People who use the crosswalk say that is an added distraction.
"Traffic is always coming through there and never slows up, you have to sit there and wait until the traffic clears up. They never stop for you, you have to stop for them," said Anne White, who also uses the crosswalk.
"Some cars stop and some might not, some don't have patience," said local resident, Freddie White.
Traffic engineers say there are not enough people who use the crosswalk to meet national standards to install a traffic light, but the people who do use it say a little courtesy may prevent another tragedy from happening.
"They are going too fast the only problem is they need to stop," Anne said.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's office is investigating to see if there will be additional charges for the driver.
NewsChannel 3 found that Bakari had his license suspended in July 2007 in Norfolk after a second DUI arrest. Betty Jean Artis's friends say this accident could have been prevented.
"Like those driving on a suspended license, they need to do something about them. Instead of keep on giving them breaks and they just keep on doing it over and over and over," said Edward Daniels, who uses the crosswalk.
Witnesses say moments before the accident the driver was on a cell phone. People who use the crosswalk say that is an added distraction.
"Traffic is always coming through there and never slows up, you have to sit there and wait until the traffic clears up. They never stop for you, you have to stop for them," said Anne White, who also uses the crosswalk.
"Some cars stop and some might not, some don't have patience," said local resident, Freddie White.
Traffic engineers say there are not enough people who use the crosswalk to meet national standards to install a traffic light, but the people who do use it say a little courtesy may prevent another tragedy from happening.
"They are going too fast the only problem is they need to stop," Anne said.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's office is investigating to see if there will be additional charges for the driver.
