Memphis Police Cruiser Hits, Kills Pedestrian Near University Campus

A pedestrian was struck and killed Thursday evening by an on-duty Memphis Police Department squad car at the intersection of Park Avenue and Getwell Road near the University of Memphis, in a collision reported just before 7 p.m. (reported as 6:41 p.m.). The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died; authorities have not released the person’s identity, age or sex. MPD said the crash involved an MPD squad car and some reports indicate the officer was en route to a call, but investigators have not confirmed whether a pursuit or other factors were involved. The Tennessee Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation, and police issued a traffic alert asking drivers to avoid the area while lanes remain closed for the probe.