Woman Hit and Killed Walking Dog in Alpine – June 22, 2016
UPDATE: June 24, 2016 – The missing dogs have both been found. The woman who was killed is identified as Andy Smith. Her husband submitted the following comment to the Alpine Community Network, “She was my wife. I can’t start to thank everyone in this community who helped us find her dogs. Both are home and recovering. Andy lived in Alpine for nearly 40 years. Wrights field was her new found enjoyment since retiring from 26 years service at Childrens Hospital and she always took two different dogs with her when she walked. She will be missed.” – Robert Montgomery
Original Story Below:
June 22, 2016 HORRIBLE NEWS ALPINE 🙁 There has been an ACCIDENT this morning – AUTO VS PEDESTRIAN – SOUTH GRADE & VIA VIEJAS (That would be the entrance to the old ranch near Wright’s Field) ***** Per IPN Alert – 7:27am – They are reporting it as a DOA. I do not know any names or the details – I only know it was a woman and they are now looking for her dog who is loose in wrights field. Reports say the dog is a large thin tan dog with short hair and floppy ears. SOUTH GRADE IS CLOSED RIGHT NOW from Via Viejas to Calle De Los Compadres. I am praying for her family right now:-(
UPDATE 6-22-16 4:30pm – Just was told that there were actually 2 DOGS that were with this woman today and ONE OF THEM WAS FOUND. The other has been seen in many places in and near Wrights field but no one can seem to catch her. She is a female shepheard mix that looks a bit like a coyote. If she is seen please call Drew at 619-977-3630 or call 858-201-0712.
Below is a photo of the missing dog named “BooBoo” – She has a collar on and is dragging a black leash.
Posted by Angie – ACN ADMIN
If anyone in the community actually saw all or any part of this accident, will you please contact Elizabeth Banham, (619) 238-8700, at your earliest convenience? Thank you, very grateful for eyewitnesses coming forward.
Karen F your son obviously had no idea how fast the car was going. It was actually going UNDER the speed limit. Thank you Bill Doerr who is he only one who has the intelligence to not jump to conclusions and vilify the driver. Blame the pedestrian who didn’t look when she ran in front of the car.
Robert – thank you so much for providing this information about your wife. Many people have been asking who she was and it is nice to know more about her as this entire community is so saddened by this tragic accident. I pray God will bless you and your family with the strength to heal 🙂
We need walking paths or sidewalks. Runners and bikers are also getting hit often on South Grade. People do drive too fast, especially westbound!
I will add a name to the story. The lady was Andy Smith. She was my wife. I can’t start to thank everyone in this community who helped us find her dogs. Both are home and recovering. Andy lived in Alpine for nearly 40 years. Wrights field was her new found enjoyment since retiring from 26 years service at Childrens Hospital and she always took two different dogs with her when she walked.
She will be missed.
The speed limit used to be 55MPH until about 18 years ago when I went to the San Diego Traffic Advisory Committee and believe me I have to lobby quite hard due to the reluctance of the committee, but they did end up certifying it for radar. I encourage everyone to contact the El Cajon CHP office and request radar surveillance :(619) 401-2000
My Son unfortunately witnessed the entire accident this morning and is very shaken up. He said it was the perfect storm of no safe cross walk over to Wrights field and a car driving fast. I would like to see stop signs on Southgrade at both Ranch entrances. Turning on to Southgrade is dangerous. There have been other deaths from drivers losing control over the years on Southgrade. Stop signs would slow them down. Praying for her family. So tragic..
You are jumping to conclusions here – Rumor has it she darted into the road after one of her dogs. Skid marks are indicating proper speed – Wait to see the report before you villify someone.
all of south grade speeds need to be reduced lots of blind curves where i live when pulling out of driveway many accidents knocking mail boxes and fences over a couple of roll overs called chp not very concerned about it one response from one officer of the law was to call dianne jacob
Can we get people out to Wright’s tonight to look for these dogs? Take water with you. I find Amber’s comment offensive, describing this as an incident. No comment about this poor woman or her dogs.
I agree. Where could you possibly be going in such a hurry in a residential area? Now needless tragedy has occurred .
The speed limit needs to be drastically reduced on South grade, signs posted , making people more aware of horses and people crossing . I live in the new ranch and ride my horse in wright’s field several days a week. We walk our horses along south grade to be safer and even try to wave traffic to slow down but they whiz past us going 50+ mph…..3 of us standing by the side of the road and 2 cross safely and the third had to wait bc a lady didn’t even bother to stop!
People need to understand that horses can be spooked by cars zooming past….this is why we are walking our horses and not riding down south grade to be safer. Not to mention what will happen if a car strikes a horse and has 1000+ pounds coming through the windshield.
Wright’s field is for people to enjoy hiking, walking their dogs and riding horses. It’s the only area in Alpine to do this. We love this area and should be able to enjoy it without worrying about being hit by a car. It would be nice to have wide shoulders on South grade for those of us that use it on a regular basis are safe. After all we are a horse community.
On top of animal safety there are children that walk home everyday on South Grade including mine.
For months I have been waiving people to slow down and have said we need to reduce speed and have police on this road. What a horrible incident that happened this morning…..I hope some major changes are made because of it.