Police seek witnesses to Hudson pedestrian death
By Emelie Rutherford/Daily News Staff
Sunday, January 07, 2007 - Updated: 04:37 PM EST

HUDSON - Police are asking any eyewitnesses who saw a woman strike and kill a pedestrian walking in or near a crosswalk linked to a hiking trail to help them as they investigate whether the woman broke the law.

Hudson's Kenneth White, 65, of 3 Raymond Court, Apt. 12, was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester Friday night after he was hit by a Toyota Sienna on Rte. 85 near Brooks Pharmacy at 6:24 p.m., police said.

Hudson Police are investigating the crash, and are waiting for a report from accident reconstruction experts with the state police, said Hudson Police Sgt. Christopher Shea.

Shea yesterday said police want to learn more about where White was standing when he was struck. Shea said police have not ruled out charging the minivan's driver, Marya Snow, 44, of 5 Santos Drive, Hudson.

Under state law drivers are supposed to stop or yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, who have the right of way, Shea said.

``It appears as though (White) was in the crosswalk, exactly where it remains to be determined,'' Shea said. Police have gathered some witness statements about where White was situated, but want to hear from any additional witnesses, Shea said.

Shea can be reached at 978-562-7122.

Snow was upset after the accident and was treated and released from Marlborough Hospital Friday night, Shea said. Snow's three young children were in the minivan at the time of the accident, he said.

``It was a tragedy all around,'' Shea said.

Snow could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The crosswalk is connected to the Assabet River Rail Trail.

``It's a tough road to cross anyway,'' Shea said. ``The weather (Friday) night wasn't the greatest. ... I think there are a lot of factors that are coming into play here.''
Some Hudson residents say the crosswalk is not properly illuminated and thus a danger to pedestrians.

Hudson Police Chief Richard Braga said, ``The crosswalk is something that we have discussed before in the town as part of the ultimate completion of the rail trail, having working pedestrian lights there.''

``It is fair to say that we desire to have a pedestrian control at that crosswalk,'' Braga said. ``We do recognize that there is a lot of pedestrian traffic there.''

White's family could not be reached yesterday. Shea said several of White's family members went to UMass Memorial Medical Center Friday night.
(Emelie Rutherford can be reached at 617-722-2495 or erutherford@cnc.com.)