MEMPHIS / RALEIGH, Shelby County, Tenn., Oct. 13, 2026 — One person was injured Monday night, October 12, after being struck by a Memphis Police Department patrol car in the Raleigh area, according to police.
The crash happened near Austin Peay Highway and Coleman Road around 7:14 p.m., MPD said. Officers were responding to a report of a pedestrian-involved crash when they found the person hurt at the scene.
The injured person was taken to a hospital in non-critical condition, police said. No other details about the individual have been released.
MPD said preliminary information indicates the pedestrian was walking into oncoming traffic when the patrol car struck them. The department has not said whether the officer was responding to another call at the time. The incident remains under investigation, and MPD has not released further findings.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Why Distraction on Either Side Turns Routine Streets Into Pedestrian Crash Sites
Pedestrian crashes often come down to a narrow window of attention. A driver glances at a phone, a dashboard screen, or a passing car for a second or two. A pedestrian steps off a curb while looking at their own phone, or while focused on traffic from one direction and not the other. Either lapse alone might not matter. Together, they remove the last chance either person had to notice the other and react.
Roads like Austin Peay Highway, wide and built for speed, add to the problem. Long, straight stretches give drivers less reason to slow down and give pedestrians more distance to misjudge before crossing. At night, headlights and streetlighting can make it harder for a driver to pick a person out of the background until they are close.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those crashes trace back to the same gap: someone not watching the road, or someone crossing without confirming it was clear, at the exact moment the other needed them to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries, since they have no protection from the impact. Severity depends heavily on vehicle speed and point of contact.
What usually causes pedestrian accidents?
Common factors include driver or pedestrian distraction, failure to yield at crossings, low visibility at night, and pedestrians entering roadways outside marked crosswalks.
Does vehicle speed affect survival chances?
Yes. Pedestrians struck at lower speeds are far more likely to survive and recover than those hit at higher speeds, since impact force increases sharply as speed rises.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Many occur on multi-lane roads and at intersections, particularly where traffic moves at higher speeds and crosswalks or signals are limited.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Memphis, TN
If you witness or are involved in a pedestrian crash, call 911 immediately so police and emergency medical crews can respond. Keep in mind to not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger, since some injuries worsen with movement.
Anyone involved should seek a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first. Shock can mask pain, and some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, are not obvious right away. If possible, try to note the time, location, and any details about how the crash happened, since memory can fade quickly after a stressful event. Follow up with the police department handling the case for updates on the investigation.
