Justin Lambert Killed in Pedestrian Accident on US-79 in Todd County, KY
Todd County, KY — June 5, 2022, 33-year-old pedestrian Justin Lambert was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 79 near Allensville.
According to reports the incident happened Sunday afternoon along US-79 in Todd County. Preliminary investigation suggests an 18-wheeler was northbound on the roadway when Lambert allegedly entered the travel lanes carrying a metal chair.
The truck driver, Alexander Fritton, reportedly saw Lambert ahead and slowed to a near-stop as Lambert hit the side of the truck multiple times with the chair. Lambert then got caught by the truck's drive wheels and was pulled underneath the vehicle.
Lambert was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. No other injuries were reported.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Justin Lambert Accident on US-79 in Todd County
After many accidents I try to stress the importance of an open mind while investigators try to fit the pieces of what happened together. People may note some of the details reported by the news--the victim supposedly walked into the road as a truck approached and then allegedly hit it with a chair--and say the ultimate result, while tragic, seems mostly to be of the victim's own making.
I won't pretend to know the truth of what happened on the highway. The only thing I'll say is I hope authorities won't leap to any hasty conclusions. I have worked on some cases in which certain preliminary details--often no more than assumptions--led officers to draw conclusions they refused to change even when new evidence came to light.
Until possible factors like medical or psychological complications or potentially some form of impairment are also investigated, it's still anyone's guess what might really have occurred. I mean no disrespect by bringing up those potential issues, either; I only mean to stress that extenuating circumstances must be considered.
The best thing to do, as always, is to conduct a careful and thorough investigation to ensure only true and accurate information tells the story. At the very least, the victim's loved ones deserve to know that every possibility was properly evaluated and clear evidence was found before any conclusions were reached.
