Cedar Park Woman who was struck by bus is Remembered
By Jazmine Ulloa
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 8:06 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
Published: 7:58 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
Neighbors remember Amanda Dewey for the wildflowers that would color her home during the spring and summer.
She would often be seen outside watering her trees or tending to the neat, little shrubs she planted along her driveway, and she kept a vegetable garden in a small greenhouse in her backyard.
"Whatever she was doing, she would always get up, walk over and chat for a few minutes," said Carolyn Gannaway , who lives across the street. "She really spruced up the neighborhood."
Residents in the Cedar Park area in which Dewey lived said that they were shocked and devastated to hear of her death Tuesday.
The 53 -year-old woman was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge on Jan. 30 after she was struck and pinned underneath a bus for about 25 minutes in North Austin, authorities said.
The bus was turning left on Jollyville Road from westbound Braker Lane, when it hit Dewey, who had been crossing Jollyville at a crosswalk, according to an Austin police crash report. Both the vehicle and Dewey had a green light, but she had the right of way, police have said.
The driver has been identified as Eric Timmes, 53. He did not see Dewey because it was dark and had been raining, police said.
Timmes was cited for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, a Class C misdemeanor. He has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to company policy, pending the investigation, said Valerie Michael, spokeswoman for Veolia Transportation, a Capital Metro contractor. Michael said Timmes has been a longtime driver with Veolia and was in good standing but could not release further information because of privacy policies. Timmes could not be reached at his home Friday.
A request to Capital Metro made under the Texas Public Information Act for a report or other documents that would have details on what occurred has not been returned.
The Police Department said that the investigation will be handed over to vehicular homicide detectives and that it will be decided later whether any charges will be brought.
In Cedar Park, neighbors said Dewey would be missed. She lived alone and was described as friendly and outgoing. Marcus Rudd, who lives next to her home, recalled the Christmas presents she had given the family, including a small outfit for his baby son.
"She gave a real sense of community," he said.
julloa@statesman.com; 445-3763