Alaska News

Pedestrian struck, run over by bus

A People Mover bus struck, then rolled over a woman Friday night on Muldoon Road, Anchorage police said. The woman, 31-year-old Melanie Wild of Anchorage, was crossing Muldoon at the light at 36th Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. when she was hit. Police said in a statement describing the incident that Wild had just gotten off another bus near the intersection. The bus was turning north on Muldoon after traveling east on 36th. "It was while she was crossing that she was knocked to the pavement by the left front corner of the bus, which then rolled over her legs with its left front tire," according to the statement. "As the bus continued its forward motion, Wild was tumbled underneath the bus, which came to a stop just as she was contacted by the rear dual tires. She was not run over by the rear wheels of the bus."

The bus driver, Delisa Newstrom, told officers she had a green light and yielded to oncoming traffic on 36th before making the turn, according to the statement. "She heard a 'bump' and saw the pedestrian under her bus," the statement says.

Wild was, at first, unconscious but regained consciousness and was taken to a hospital, where she gave a statement to investigators. The five passengers aboard the bus were also contacted, police said.

According to the police statement, both Wild and a witness said she was crossing with the "white 'walking man' " pedestrian crossing signal.

The incident is still under investigation.

Anchorage Daily News

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