Blind Surry man dies after being hit by car
SURRY — A blind Surry man died Tuesday morning on the Toddy Pond Road after being struck by a Ford Expedition while walking with his seeing-eye dog, Hancock County Sheriff’s deputies reported.
The dead man, James Miekka, was 54, said Lt. Tim Cote.
The driver of the vehicle, Robert Elliott, 27, of Surry, stopped and rendered aid to Miekka immediately, Cote said.
Elliott advised police that his vision was obscured by the sun, said Cote.
“The cause and contributing factors of the accident remain under investigation,” said Cote.
Miekka lost his sight 28 years ago in a chemistry accident.
Deputy Shane Campbell is the primary investigating officer. He was assisted at the scene by Deputy Luke Gross, Deputy Jeffrey McFarland, and Lt. Cote. The Surry Fire Department assisted as well. Deputy Jeffrey McFarland will reconstruct the accident.