Executive Summary
- Kyong Searle, 63, was fatally struck by a minivan while lawfully crossing the street in Cortland.
- The driver was identified as an Amazon subcontractor delivering packages in a personal vehicle.
- Police cited failure to yield and sun glare as primary factors; the driver was ticketed but not impaired.
CORTLAND, N.Y. — Kyong Searle, 63, of Cortland, died following a collision on Thursday afternoon when she was struck by a vehicle while navigating a crosswalk, according to the Cortland Police Department.
Authorities responded to the intersection of Main Street and Court Street around 2:30 p.m. on December 18. Investigators determined that the vehicle involved was a minivan driven by a subcontractor for Amazon who was delivering packages at the time of the incident. According to police reports, the driver was operating a personal vehicle rather than a branded fleet van.
The Cortland Police Department stated that the driver was attempting to make a left turn from Court Street onto Main Street under a flashing yellow signal. Investigators noted that while the driver had permission to turn with caution, he failed to yield the right of way to Searle, who was walking east and lawfully occupying the crosswalk. Searle sustained serious injuries after being struck and run over by the vehicle; she later succumbed to those injuries.
Surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement provided a comprehensive view of the sequence of events. Police determined the collision was caused by a combination of human error and environmental factors, specifically noting sun glare as a contributing element. Officers reported that the driver cooperated at the scene and showed no signs of impairment.
Investigative Outlook
The investigation into the fatality remains active, with authorities issuing the driver a traffic ticket for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. While police have indicated that the incident appears to be an accident exacerbated by visibility issues, officials noted that further charges could be pending as the review concludes. It is important to note that all individuals cited or charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
