My heart is broken today at this tremendous loss.
Below is the official statement from The Contributor:
Today, at The Contributor, we grieve the tragic loss of Andrew Owens, who, according to police, was struck and killed this morning while crossing the street after exiting a bus. Andrew was a vendor of The Contributor newspaper which is sold by homeless and formerly homeless newspaper vendors. His personable, artistic and earth-conscious spirit will be missed.
We ask for your thoughts and prayers for Andrew, those who loved him, the driver of the vehicle and all of the service professionals who attended to him today. And, we ask for your support for all that who experienced homelessness in Nashville.
Rest in peace, Andrew. You will be missed.
Contributor Salesman Dies After Being Hit By Car In Madison
Posted: Jan 31, 2012 6:31 AM CST Updated: Jan 31, 2012 2:41 PM CST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Contributor salesman died after being hit by a car in Madison on Tuesday morning.
It happened around 6:20 a.m. on North Gallatin Pike near Rivergate Mall. Police said 36-year-old Christian Owens had gotten off of a bus and was trying to cross the street to sell the paper when he was struck by a Mercury Villager minivan.
Police said Owens was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center with critical injuries, but later died.
The driver of the minivan, 55-year-old Todd Duncan of Hendersonville, told police he did not see Owens in the roadway.
Police said there were no crosswalks on that part of the road, which makes it a tricky area for pedestrians to navigate.
"You've got bus stops on one side of the road folks need to get to the other side of the road, there's no real way for them to get over there. Even if they go up to the next intersection there's no cross walks no pedestrian walk signs," said Sgt. Bob Sheffield.
There was no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement in the crash, according to police.
The driver of that van, 55 year old Todd Duncan, told police he simply didn't see Owens.
Charges have not been filed in this case.
Owens worked as a vendor for at least six months.
