Driver Not Charged In Fatal Pedestrian Incident
By Space Coast Daily // April 17, 2015
Jean Dennis Pronounced Dead At Scene
UPDATE: April 17, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Melbourne Police Department have been investigating a traffic homicide that resulted in the death of a pedestrian on Wednesday night, according to Commander Dan Lynch of the Melbourne Police Department
According to investigators, the driver of the vehicle, Darryl Lane Spencer of Satellite Beach, was traveling north in the outside lane on N. Wickham Road from Aurora Road in his silver 2004 Hyundai Tucson.
At that time, the pedestrian, Jean M. Dennis of Melbourne, was crossing N. Wickham Road on foot from the area of McDonalds, 1980 N. Wickham Road, traveling from west to east, according to detectives.
Dennis crossed the northbound, outside lane in front of the driver’s vehicle, according to police. The driver swerved in a attempt to avoid Dennis but was struck by the front-right corner of the Hyundai.
Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to the scene where Jean M. Dennis was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:15 p.m.
According to Melbourne Police investigators, the area of N. Wickham Road is not well lit, nor is the roadway marked for pedestrian crossing. Investigators have determined there will be no charges filed against the driver, Darryl Spencer.
According to investigators, Dennis was recently cited by traffic officers for pedestrian violations twice in the past few weeks in the same general Wickham Road/Aurora Road.
Police said pedestrian violations are being heavily enforced in this area to prevent these type incidents.
The Melbourne Police Department is currently in the process of seeking a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to assist with education and enforcement efforts throughout the city.
If you have any information that could help detectives solve this case, call the Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
Calls to Crimeline are anonymous and tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
STAY TUNED TO SPACECOASTDAILY FOR UPDATES
ABOVE MAP: Pedestrian, Jean M. Dennis of Melbourne, was crossing N. Wickham Road on foot from the area of McDonalds, 1980 N. Wickham Road, traveling from west to east and was struck by Darryl Spencer’s vehicle.
Previous Story April 15, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian incident near 1980 N. Wickham Road Wednesday night.
Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to the scene where the female pedestrian was pronounced as dead at 8:15 p.m.
According to police, a silver SUV was traveling north in the outside lane of N. Wickham Road from Aurora Road. A female pedestrian was crossing N. Wickham Road on foot from the area of McDonalds, 1980 N. Wickham Rd., traveling from west to east.
The female pedestrian crossed the northbound, outside lane in front of the SUV and the pedestrian was struck by the front-right corner of the SUV as it swerved attempting to avoid her, according to investigators.
A silver SUV was traveling north in the outside lane of N. Wickham Road from Aurora Rd. The woman was crossing N. Wickham Road on foot from the area of McDonalds, 1980 N. Wickham Rd., traveling from west to east.
The pedestrian crossed the northbound, outside lane in front of the SUV and was struck by the front-right corner of the SUV as it swerved attempting to avoid her, according to detectives.
The deceased woman was turned over to the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office as protocol for a traffic homicide investigation. No charges are expected.
The name of the deceased woman is being withheld pending notification for the family.
An update to this release with additional information is forthcoming.
STAY TUNED TO SPACECOASTDAILY FOR UPDATES
ABOVE MAP: Pedestrian was crossing N. Wickham Road on foot from the area of McDonalds, 1980 N. Wickham Road, traveling from west to east and was struck by a silver SUV.
