Winston-Salem — Sarah Jane Robinson, 65, was killed Friday night after a pickup truck struck her as she walked along New Walkertown Road, a busy stretch that many residents know all too well. Police say the crash happened suddenly and left a quiet neighborhood shaken.
Officers with the Winston-Salem Police Department were called to the 2800 block of New Walkertown Road around 8:33 p.m. after reports came in of a pedestrian hit in the roadway. When they arrived, they found Robinson lying in the road. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Investigators say Robinson was walking west in the westbound lanes when a pickup truck traveling in the same direction hit her. The impact was severe. Police have not released information about the driver, and no charges have been announced as detectives work to piece together what happened.
The department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit has taken over the case. Their job now is to slow the moment down and study it closely. Detectives are looking at lighting, visibility, traffic flow, and the condition of the road. They are also reviewing physical evidence, possible vehicle data, and any surveillance video that may exist nearby.
New Walkertown Road is a well-traveled corridor lined with homes, small businesses, and constant traffic. Residents say cars move fast through the area, especially at night. Police acknowledge that pedestrian safety along this roadway has long been a concern due to its intersections, driveways, and steady congestion.
Fatal pedestrian crashes are reconstructed step by step. Investigators measure distances, study vehicle movement, and review right-of-way rules to understand how a life was lost and how similar tragedies might be prevented. It is a careful process, and it takes time.
For now, the investigation remains open. Police say they have not decided whether citations or charges will follow. Anyone who saw the crash or has information is urged to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Robinson’s death is another painful reminder of how vulnerable pedestrians are, especially after dark. Police continue to urge drivers to slow down and stay alert, and pedestrians to remain visible and cautious. On a road meant to move people forward, a life was cut short in an instant.
