Newport News, Va. – Police say a 63-year-old man was killed Monday night while attempting to cross Mercury Boulevard.
According to a release, Peter Cornetta was crossing Mercury Boulevard approximately 200 feet west of Newmarket Drive around 9:54 p.m. when he was hit by a 1998 Ford Windstar van.
The van was driven by a 24-year-old Newport News man who was driving in the center lane when the vehicle in front of him hit their brakes.
The man swerved to the right to avoid a collision and struck Cornetta, who had crossed into the right lane.
Cornetta was thrown to the sidewalk.
A witness called 911 and Cornetta was transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center. He was pronounced deceased at 10:45 p.m.
Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash. Mr. Cornetta was not crossing at an intersection and was wearing dark clothing. The Newport News Police Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating this fatality crash and no charges are pending against the driver of the striking vehicle.
