Tragedy struck in Hyde Park on Monday night when Lawrence “Larry” Williams, a 76-year-old man, was fatally struck by an SUV while crossing Violet Avenue. Williams, a longtime figure in the local community as the former “bouncer” at Let’s Dance nightclub in Poughkeepsie, was walking from a nearby gas station to his residence at Hyde Park Assisted Living when the collision occurred. Witnesses reported that Williams was not using the crosswalk and was not visible to traffic at the time of the accident.
Upon arrival at the scene, emergency personnel found Williams lying in the roadway, unconscious and unresponsive. Despite their efforts to revive him, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 43-year-old woman from Hyde Park, was uninjured in the collision and remained at the scene to cooperate with authorities.
Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has additional information to come forward and contact the Town of Hyde Park Police Department, referencing Case# 2024-00010750.
This tragic incident is not the first of its kind in the area, as there have been several pedestrians struck by vehicles on Violet Avenue, including at least one other fatality since the assisted living facility opened for business. The frequency of such accidents raises concerns about pedestrian safety and the need for improved measures to prevent future tragedies.
As the community mourns the loss of Lawrence “Larry” Williams, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of pedestrian safety and the need for both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws. Our thoughts are with Williams’ family and loved ones during this difficult time.