TRAFFIC SLOWING AROUND COURT SQUARE?

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

LINCOLNTON -- In the days after a deadly accident at the intersection of East Court Square and East Main Street, motorists are using extra caution when pedestrians are in crosswalks in downtown Lincolnton.

Monday morning, 78-year-old Virginia McAlister was struck by a pickup driven by Timothy Biggerstaff, 47, of Lawndale, as she crossed the street. Biggerstaff cflipped McAlister. She was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital, where she died around 9 a.m. A memorial service was held for McAlister Wednesday at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church on South Grove Street.

The District Attorney is now considering further charges against Biggerstaff.

In the wake of the accident, drivers are using caution when seeing pedestrians in crosswalks downtown; however, authorities are saying the caution may only be temporary.

In fact, there's some speculation that the new cautiousness may only last a week.

People who work around the Court Square say drivers fly down city streets, sometimes narrowly missing pedestrians.

From her desk at the Chamber of Commerce, Shirley Smith sees people speeding around the Court Square on a regular basis.

According to Smith, an accident like the one Monday was bound to happen.

"It was only a matter of time," said Smith.

By law, pedestrians in Lincolnton have the right-of-way.