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Newspaper carrier hit by alleged drunk driver landed on median

Posted at 12:42 PM, Nov 02, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-03 00:13:53-05

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. --  A 63-year-old newspaper carrier is recovering in the hospital after being struck by an alleged drunk driver early Sunday morning.

It happened just after 1 a.m. when the newspaper carrier stopped to make a delivery on Bell Creek Road near Brandy Branch Mill Lane.

The woman had pulled over in the right lane, with her blinkers and an amber traffic beacon light, according to Hanover police.

When the newspaper carrier got out of her vehicle, she and her car were hit by a 2002 Ford truck traveling in the same direction.

The victim, who was thrown onto the median, and transported to VCU Medical Center with what police described as non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Hanover Sheriff's Office, 38-year-old Jennifer Higgs, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cars raced past markings on Bell Creek Road in Mechanicsville Sunday afternoon served as visual clue of the frightening wreck.

Heather Simms said what makes the situation even less surprising is what police accuse the truck's driver of doing before getting behind the wheel.

"A lot of people like to speed, so it's kind of not surprising,” Simms said. "A lot of people drive drunk.  They shouldn't, especially on a road where you can't see.”

Simms says she walks this section of Bell Creek Road almost daily and that vehicles racing down the hill and around the turn have little time to react.

Stay with WTVR.com and CBS 6 News for updates on this story.