Pedestrian killed on Hwy. 320

An 82-year-old Chiefland woman died last Wednesday morning as she attempted to cross Levy County Road 320 West near the Manatee Jiffy Store, according to a report by Florida Highway Patrol Cpl. Lena Ward.

Edith Frances Cuzelis was pronounced dead at the scene by a Levy County Emergency Medical Services paramedic at 7:20 a.m., according to records.

Cuzelis had parked a 1989 GMC van on the north shoulder of CR 320 facing west with its headlights on, Ward said. She had retrieved equipment from the van to erect a garage sale sign on the south shoulder of CR 320.

She walked south across the road, from behind the rear of the van, Ward said, and walked into the path of a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by Andrew W. English, 39, of Chiefland. It was still dark and the driver did not see the pedestrian, Ward said.

The right front of the pickup truck hit the right side of the woman. She came to final rest on the south shoulder of CR 320.

English?s vehicle became disabled and came to a stop facing east in the eastbound lane. He pushed the pickup off the road to the shoulder before Ward arrived, she noted.

The Oct. 17 death makes 12 individuals who died as the result of traffic accidents in Levy County so far in 2007, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Burroughs.

There were only 12 traffic fatalities in Levy County for all of 2006, Burroughs said. As of Oct. 15, 2006, there had been only four traffic deaths in Levy County.

Gilchrist County is experiencing more people being killed on the highways in 2007 in comparison with 2006, Burroughs said. As of Oct. 15, there were six deaths from traffic accidents in Gilchrist County this year. As of Oct. 15, 2006, there had been only two and there were only three traffic fatalities in Gilchrist County for all of 2006, Burroughs said.