In the early hours of Thursday morning, tragedy struck on the 2500 block of Meadowbrook Drive when 53-year-old Jerico Blair, a homeless man, was fatally struck by a vehicle.
Pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Mark Bowen at 1:50 a.m., Blair’s death brings the total number of pedestrian fatalities this year in Richmond County to at least nine.
This incident follows a troubling trend of deadly pedestrian accidents in the area, including the death of another homeless individual, Vincent Depirro, who was killed in a hit-and-run in downtown Augusta on Nov. 15.
Depirro, 61, was struck by a vehicle at 10th and Greene Street, Bowen said. He was taken by paramedics to Wellstar MCG Health, where he was pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m. on that day.
According to his obituary, Depirro was an Indiana native and a former resident of Alabama. He had made Augusta his home since 2000.
He was a talented contractor who took pride in his work. Vince attended the Lighthouse Tabernacle and enjoyed spreading the Gospel through ministering and song.
The number of pedestrian fatalities continues to rise, with many victims attempting to cross busy roads.
In addition to Blair and Depirro, several others have died this year while crossing major streets in Richmond County, including:
- Lynnette Taylor, 59, of Hephzibah, killed while crossing Peach Orchard Road in October
- Deonte Williams, 27, of Augusta, struck in a hit-and-run on I-520 in July
- Jan Jacoby, 62, of Augusta, hit on Peach Orchard Road in August
- Dominique Abraham, 22, of Augusta, killed on Windsor Spring Road in April
- Tony Maurice Walker, 38, struck on Deans Bridge Road in April
- Filadelfo Raul Chiquin-Jalal, 30, of Guatemala, killed on Gordon Highway in April
- Eric L. Jenkins, 53, of Lumpkin Road, struck on Peach Orchard Road in February
An autopsy for Blair has been scheduled, as authorities continue to investigate the rise in pedestrian deaths and work to address the safety of those walking along these dangerous roads.
(Note: If you have a better photo of Jerico to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)
