A college-age woman was struck by a
car Wednesday evening while trying to cross East 18th Avenue near University Street
and was taken to Sacred Heart Medical
Center. Her condition was unknown as of late Wednesday night.
Retired University political science professor James Klonoski said he was driving west on East 18th Avenue with his son Zach, a
University sophomore, when his Toyota
Camry struck the woman, whose name had not been released by the Eugene Police
Department as of press time.
“She exited the sidewalk and got hit by a car,” EPD officer Sean Hughes said. “Apparently, it happened in heavy traffic.”
Zach Klonoski said he and his father
couldn’t see the woman because she was standing very still in the middle of a dark stretch of road.
“I have 20/20 vision and couldn’t see her,” the student said. “I would have hit her too.”
Eugene police responded to the accident around 6 p.m. and said the victim’s condition did not appear to be critical.
“I don’t think it’s anything critical,”
Hughes said. “Otherwise we’d be doing a lot more investigating.”
Police said judging from witness reports,
it didn’t appear Klonoski was speeding or driving recklessly.
“At this point, it doesn’t seem like he was doing anything wrong,” Hughes said. “We’ll try to determine who was at fault after we talk to (the victim).”

Police will likely cite whoever was at
fault for the accident after speaking with the victim — who witnesses described as being around 20 years old — and after completing the investigation, Hughes said.
Klonoski said he was shaken by the accident but was more worried about the victim.
“I worry more about her,” Klonoski said. “She’s the one who’s suffering from it all.”

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