DeKalb County

Family says runner hit by police cruiser has died

By Audrey Washington, WSB-TV and Liz Artz
By Audrey Washington, WSB-TV and Liz Artz

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE:

Janet Pickney's family tells Channel 2's Liz Artz that she has passed away.

They say she was "an amazing woman.

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A police cruiser hit a runner, and then crashed into a house in DeKalb County early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Both the officer and the woman were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but the officer was later upgraded and is now stable, DeKalb police said.

According to police, the accident happened on Chamblee Tucker Road at Brown Road around 7:30 a.m. when the officer was responding to a tree down call.

“A vehicle made a left turn in front of the officer, the officer took an evasive maneuver to avoid that vehicle and struck a pedestrian in the cross walk,” said DeKalb County Police Chief James Conroy.

The officer involved in the accident was identified as Ian MacGowan Tuesday night.

Witnesses at the scene told Channel 2's Audrey Washington that the woman, who was identified as 66-year-old Janet Pickney, was badly hurt.

"She was rushed into surgery and was critical, but hopefully, God-willing, she'll pull through," Pickney's cousin, Kip Puiia, said.

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Puiia said Pickney loves to run.

"She's an avid runner. She ran in the Peachtree Road Race. She's out every day jogging," he said.

Neighbors who live on all four corners told Channel 2's Liz Artz drivers often travel too fast and you can't see around the curves in the road.

James Bolton has lived in the area for 50 years and says he's seen his share of wrecks.

"One jumped this curb, tore the fireplug off and drug it up to my carport. One wound up in that ditch over there. One went through my yard and took down a bunch of trees,” he explained.

The chief said that will be part of the investigation.

"When we find accidents in an area, we try to do enforcement, and if need be, get the transportation department to change speeds or increase signage in the area for safety," Conroy said.

The investigation will determine who's at fault.

Cox Media Group

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