Pedestrian Struck By DeKalb Officer Dies: Report

TUCKER, GA -- A pedestrian who was in critical condition after being hit by a DeKalb County police cruiser has succumbed to her injuries, Patch has learned. Janet Pickney, 66, was an avid runner who was jogging in the crosswalk when the accident occurred just before Tuesday 7:30 a.m.

She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but Wednesday her family confirmed to local media that her injuries were fatal, according to news reports. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Pickney was in the midst of a morning jog when a DeKalb police careened into her while trying to avoid another vehicle near the corner of Chamblee Tucker and Brown roads.

In early investigation of the accident indicates that the officer swerved to avoid a vehicle that suddenly turned in front of him, DeKalb authorities told local media. During the incident, the officer's vehicle hit a woman on the street and then crashed into a house. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Pedestrian Critical After Being Struck By DeKalb Officer

A neighbor of Ed and Janet Pickney erected a cross at the scene of the accident, telling news crews that it was his way of honoring her. "They both mean the world to me," Giancarlo Tsistsilianos said, "and the least I could do is pay tribute to them by putting the flowers down," he told WAGA-TV.

The husband of the woman who purportedly pulled out in front of the officer was told of Pickney's death as well. "Oh no, I'm sorry to hear about that," Joe Yarini told WSB-TV.

Pickney underwent surgery Tuesday and her condition was reportedly upgraded, according to WAGA-TV. "She's out every day jogging and running so it's just incredible that she would have gotten hit today, Kip Puiia, a family member, told WAGA.

DeKalb officials said the officer is 31 years old, but they have not yet revealed his identity. Pickney on the other hand, recently won first place in her division in the AJC Peachtree Road Race, according to local media.

It was unclear if someone was inside the home at the time, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. Both the injured woman and the officer received medical attention. The officer was listed in stable condition, according to DeKalb police.

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