Local cardiologist hit while using crosswalk

MOORESVILLE, N.C.,None — A Mooresville cardiologist has been released from the hospital, but he has a long road of recovery ahead of him.

Dr. Daniel Sugarman was hit by a car on Nov. 29 while crossing Medical Park Road in between Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and a building that houses his office.

Eyewitness News met Sugarman in his hospital room, where he is recovering from a broken neck, fractured sacrum and pelvis.

"Yes, I do feel lucky," he said. "I'm glad I'm not dead."

Sugarman said he doesn't remember anything about the accident, and police said because they're still investigating, they couldn't tell Eyewitness News much more about it or if the man who hit him will be charged.

People who use that same crosswalk on Medical Park Road said it is a busy stretch of road, and that they fear for their safety because cars zooms by even when the flashing lights at the walk go on.

"They don't look, they don't pay attention. They see the crosswalk and they see the lights and they just keep going," said Mary Jo Horne.

When she crossed the street, an Eyewitness News crew saw a car drive into the middle of the crosswalk and then back up once they saw Horne.

Horne said she heard about Sugarman's accident.

"I wasn't shocked. That's terrible, but I wasn't shocked," she said.

Eyewitness News reporter Holly Maynard used the crosswalk while covering the story. After she pressed the button and the flashing lights went on, six cars still drove through the crosswalk before she could begin crossing.

Sugarman said he uses the crosswalk every day and cars often fail to notice the flashing lights. He would like to see changes there.

"I think speed bumps (are) reasonable. I don't think people obey the speed limit there," he said.

Mooresville town leaders said engineers have already been looking at the walk since the accident and will soon make safety recommendations to leaders. Speed bumps may not work because there are so many emergency vehicles that go through the area, but the speed limit could be lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph.

WSOC