PASSAGES: WOMAN, 80, IN WHEELCHAIR KILLED CROSSING HIGHWAY 80 IN JACUMBA

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2014 (Jacumba) – An 80-year-old woman in a motorized wheelchair crossing Old Highway 80 in Jacumba was struck and killed by a white van turning onto the highway at 6:38 p.m. last night. The victim, Jimmie Dyampert Genet of Jacumba, died at the scene.

“Jimmie was a larger than life character who was liked by everyone,” said Danielle Cook, a Jacumba resident.  “I used to see her in the pools at the spa or rolling down the road towards the store and Post Office. She will be missed.”

Cook said Genet was visiting a friend at the Wagon Wheel trailer park and was returning home after dark, but had no reflective gear or light on her wheelchair. The tragedy serves as a reminder to make sure that your friends and loved ones in wheel chairs are properly equipped to be vislble at night.

The driver of the van stopped and immediately called 911.  California Highway Patrol and San Diego Rural Fire Department responded to the scene, but confirmed death without medical intervention due to obvious fatal trauma, the San Diego Medical Examiner reports.