PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A pedestrian was hit and killed by a bus in Portsmouth on Friday morning, according to a police spokesperson.
The accident happened sometime after 11:30 a.m. at George Washington Highway and Victory Boulevard.
According to family members at the scene, the victim is 78-year-old Jerry Tibbitt.
“I was shocked, I was really shocked. I’ve known Jerry now, like 20 years. I’ve been in the family,” explained Holly Noack.
Noack said the victim is her father-in-law. She said is the former owner of the snack bar inside Victory Bingo. She said Tibbitt loved to walk around town.
“Everywhere he went when he retired, he walked to Lowe’s from Brentwood, he’d walk to Food Lion, Walgreens,” she said. “You’d see him walking and you’d pull over and say hey Jerry, do you want a ride and he would be like no this is my exercise going to the store."
Police did not say what kind of bus hit the pedestrian.
Witnesses told 13News Now that he crossed the street at the crosswalk while pulling his wagon, when a tour bus hit and killed him.
“My understanding is, my mom called me and said 'I think your father-in-law got hit.' She said a bus hit him," Noack said. "I called home and I told Beverly to call her mom to see if her dad was home, and that’s when we found out it was him.”
During the holiday season, this family is mourning an unexpected loss. Noack said Tibbitt will be remembered as a loving husband, father and friend.