The Oak Ridge Police Department investigated a crash between a car and pedestrian on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Wednesday morning, Sept. 7, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
An Oak Ridge man died after being hit by a car on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Dimitrios Agouridis, 82, of Oak Ridge was struck by a 2010 Jaguar XT sedan in the westbound lanes between New York Avenue and East Division Road at about 6:53 a.m. Wednesday, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.
The car was driven by James Pemberton of Clinton, who was not injured in the crash, the ORPD said.
The Oak Ridge Fire Department and Anderson County EMS arrived and treated Agouridis before he was taken to the Methodist Medical Center, where he later died, a press release said.
The westbound lanes of Oak Ridge Turnpike remained closed for about 1.5 hours while officers investigated the accident in front of Kentucky Fried Chicken in central Oak Ridge.
The gray four-door Jaguar sedan was parked nearby at Neighborhood Urgent Care, and it had damage to the hood and windshield and detectives also investigated the rear of the car.
No charges have been filed, the ORPD said. The investigation is ongoing, and no further information will be released at this time, the release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
See previous story here.
The Oak Ridge Police Department investigated a crash between a car and pedestrian on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Wednesday morning, Sept. 7, 2016. Authorities said the pedestrian was injured and taken to the hospital, where he later died. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
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Anne Garcia Garland says
I feel so badly for both Dimitri and the driver. The driver may not know that Dimitri regularly defied safety by crossing streets in , or even down, the middle. He was a sweet old guy and a bit pixilated. But he tempted fate a lot and his luck ran out. RIP
Mike Mahathy says
He will be missed! RIP Dimitri.
Dave Smith says
I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Agouridis was wearing shorts and no shirt at the time of the accident.
Melanie H. says
I really hope John Huotari you will do a piece on Dimitri and his life. It would be very interesting to hear.
David B. says
I agree. A story on his life would be very interesting. I heard he was a scientist at the lab for many years, but don’t know if this is true. I’ve enjoyed seeing him for years walking around Oak Ridge. I didn’t know his name but we always referred to him as ‘the shirtless man.’ To me, he was as much an institution in Oak Ridge as the ‘swinging arm man’ (the guy with the long white beard that walks around town), and the ‘suit vest man’ (the guy that always wears a suit vest and walks around town). I saw him a few weeks ago in the middle of the turnpike with traffic passing right behind him and in front of him…I thought to myself that this is really dangerous. I don’t know the facts behind the accident or whether or not speeding or red light running was involved, but the act of crossing the turnpike (especially during congested times) is very dangerous for anyone. John, please consider doing a story on him.
Sarah D. says
It is so sad to know that this man died in such a tragic way, I never met him, but seen him often, yes I will miss him, even as a stranger, I thought of him as a kind person thats been here in Oak Ridge so long. I respected him as I do Curtis the man that wears the vest and the man with the long white bead. They probably never think someone cares about them but I do, I pray that they’re happy, loved and mostly no harm comes to them, by accident or anything else. I don’t know if these guys have family, children or people that check in on them, I just want our seniors to be safe whether they’re walking on the side of the street or not. My condolences to his family and friends at the Emory Valley Center.
Mark Caldwell says
People are driving too damn fast on the streets of Oak Ridge. In part, that’s the result of current and former council members removing safety devices (traffic enforcement cameras) from our roads.
There was more than just bad luck regarding this fatal accident.
Carol Donath says
The time of of the accident before daybreak may have contributed to the driver not seeing Dimitri, but I am so sorry for his death and the driver. I totally agree people drive much faster than necessary. I have been passed regularly by a car only to catch up to them at the next light or even 20 miles down the road. They seem to think that the speed limit is their minimum speed and it’s ok to drive 10 or more miles over that especially west bound after Nebraska light. The speed of traffic makes it difficult to get out on the turnpike from a cross street.