Family speaks after pedestrian is killed on Hwy 79
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HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — The family and friends of a Haywood County man killed on the highway outside his home just north of Brownsville talked for the first time about the tragic accident that claimed his life. Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers said 68-year-old Ronnie Wayne West was walking across Highway 79 just outside his home around 7:45 Saturday night. “A northbound vehicle topped the hill going north on 79 and struck a pedestrian that was in the northbound lane. He was walking on a walker,” Sgt. Donald Velez said. “After striking the pedestrian, the Monte Carlo exited the roadway edge and overturned and went off into the woods. We just don’t know the reason he was in the roadway out here on a dark road like this.” West’s mother, Nancy Vedemon, said he had lived with her for roughly 10 years and says they had gone shopping together earlier in the day. “We went to town to Wal-Mart, got groceries,” Vedemon said. Vedemon said she believes her son was trying to make his way to a retail store, but she wasn’t able to take him. “It’s just hard to even think about those things right now,” she said. Neighbors said the mother and son took care of each other. “She’s a sweet lady and Ronnie, very nice. It kind of just pulls everybody together when tragedy happens,” a neighbor said. “I just hope the community will pull together and help her, because she’s 89 and her only son, only child — and just come together for her.” Authorities said no charges are warranted. Officials pronounced West dead on the scene. The driver was transported to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for minor injuries.
