Covington Police are investigating an accident that occurred Friday evening involving two St. Tammany Parish Hospital employees.
At approximately 7:25 p.m. Last Friday night (Feb. 2nd) the Police Department received a call about a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on 8th Ave. near St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Officer’s preliminary investigation revealed that Merideth Andrews (an employee with St. Tammany Hospital, 36 years old) was leaving the employee parking lot located off of Harrison Street. She proceeded to the intersection of Harrison and 8th and after stopping at the stop sign proceeded to turn left onto 8th Avenue. Just a couple of feet away from the intersection of 8th and Harrison is a well-marked, well-lit cross walk that also has flashing lights announcing the approach of the crosswalk from both directions. Unfortunately, Mrs. Andrews did not see another hospital employee, Anfred Tachdjian-McCarthy (52 years old) in the crosswalk, and struck her with her 2016 Ford truck.
Acadian Ambulance arrived on the scene within two minutes and immediately rendered aid to Tachdjian-McCarthy. She was subsequently transported to the Emergency Room with severe injuries. Impairment is not suspected in this tragic accident. As part of protocol for serious accidents, Andrews was administered a breathalyzer test which registered .000g%. She was subsequently cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Chief Lentz reminds the motoring public to always pay close attention to crosswalks throughout the area. Even at low speeds, serious injuries can result from impact with a 3,000 pound vehicle.
