Woman Says Sun Blinded Her To Elderly Pedestrian In Tulsa Roadway

A Tulsa driver told police she failed to see a 79-year-old man walking in a neighborhood due to sun in her eyes.

Wednesday, April 1st 2015, 2:00 pm

By: Dee Duren

Woman Says Sun Blinded Her To Elderly Pedestrian In Tulsa Roadway

A Tulsa driver told police she failed to see a 79-year-old man walking in a neighborhood due to sun in her eyes. Tuyen Do is in critical condition and has been placed in a medically-induced coma, according to Officer Jeremy Lawson, TPD.

Lawson released the preliminary results of the auto-pedestrian accident on Wednesday. It took place in the 7700 block of South 92nd East Place around 7 p.m.

A woman was westbound with the sun in her eyes on 77th Street when she stopped at a stop sign. She turned southbound and heard a "thump," a news release states.

"The driver got out of her vehicle thinking she had hit a dog and discovered it was an unresponsive elderly male who was lying on the ground," Lawson said.

3/31/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Man Taken To Hospital After Being Hit By Truck

The woman said she hadn't seen the pedestrian due to the sun but then recognized him as a regular walker in the neighborhood.

She was taken to the hospital for a blood test. Police say nothing in the early investigation indicates she was under the influence of any kind of intoxicant.

Lawson said doctors aren't sure Do will survive his injuries.

The officer said the investigation will continue, and he plans to use a dash cam to record the sun conditions at the same time of day as quickly as possible as weather conditions permit.

He did not release the name of the driver or say whether any citation was issued.