Whitman man injured in second pedestrian accident in single day
Whitman police and fire responded to a pedestrian accident in the cross walk in front of the post office on South Avenue early Thursday evening.
The victim Leon Baker, 68, of School Street in Whitman was walking in the crosswalk. He was dressed in dark clothes when he was struck by a Honda Civic. He sustained serious injuries.
The 33-year-old male driver from Brockton whose name has not been released immediately pulled over, according to Police Chief Scott Benton.
“He stopped and went to Mr. Baker to try to help and was cooperative with Whitman police,” Benton said.
Massachusetts’s State Police Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and, based on the analysis at the scene with Whitman’s investigating officers, it was recommended and then determined that the driver would not face charges.
Contributing factors to the incident were weather conditions and poor lighting. The driver was not found to be at fault, said Benton.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Baker,” Benton said. “He and his family are well known in town. He participates in town government and he is a volunteer. At this time of year with the holidays we hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.”
Leon’s Brother Lenny Baker, also a Whitman-Hanson graduate still living locally, is a famed musician of television and the musical group Sha Na Na.