Pedestrian in critical condition after being hit on Hwy. 50

A 71-year-old Ohio woman was in critical condition in the ICU at Renown Medical Center in Reno on Monday morning after being hit Sept. 15 while crossing Highway 50.

Betty Petrick was crossing the highway – not in a crosswalk – about 11:47pm Saturday when she was struck by a Dodge Durango driven by Ronald Aubry, 42, of Magalia. Alcohol is not a factor, according to officers.

Lt. Brian Williams told Lake Tahoe News that Aubry was driving at or below the speed limit.

Petrick, who was pulling a suitcase, was walking from near Mc P’s toward Heavenly Village at about a 45-degree angle, Williams said. She made it to the center lane and then started into the eastbound lanes of traffic.

Witnesses told South Lake Tahoe police officers Petrick’s head was down and she never looked in either direction.

“She flew 20 to 30 feet. The suitcase was lodged under the vehicle,” Williams said.

 — Lake Tahoe News staff report