Man Pushing Wheelchair Struck and Killed by Semi

Published on December 28, 2024

Date: December 28, 2024                                                 TIME: 9:45 p.m.

PIO #24-12-8                                                                     WPBPD Case #2024-0020481

MAN PUSHING WHEELCHAIR STRUCK AND KILLED BY SEMI

A man crossing Australian Avenue while pushing a wheelchair died after being hit by a tractor-trailer early Saturday morning.

At 4:53 a.m. December 28, a 911 caller reported the crash at Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Australian Avenue. West Palm Beach police and fire departments responded, and paramedics rushed the pedestrian to hospital, where his condition rapidly deteriorated and he died at 8:02 a.m. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

Traffic Homicide Unit detectives have determined that a 2022 Kenilworth, driven by Joann Marie Cunningham, 62, of Palm Beach Gardens, was heading north on Australian Avenue approaching Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, when a 65-year-old man (name withheld pending next if kin), at-large, was crossing from east to west when he was struck. The pedestrian, pushing the wheelchair, entered the path of the semi south of the marked crosswalk when he was hit. The tractor-trailer had the green light. There are no charges pending and the investigation remains open.   

Report suspicious activity and send pictures and video directly to the West Palm Beach police 911 Communications Center and Strategic Intelligence Center through the free SaferWatch app, at www.SaferwatchApp.com. It is also available through Google Play for Android, and the Apple Store for iPhones. Always call 911 for life-threatening, or in-progress crimes.    

 This release by:

Mike Jachles/PIO

  12/28/24 2130