Feb. 03--Jeremy Pettway works as a cook at the Burger King on East Brainerd Road near where Chattanooga firefighter Lt. Larry O'Rear was hit around 9:19 p.m. Sunday by a red Mercedes.
"A car just came flying," Pettway said. "[The car] was going at least 50, so I guess [the driver] didn't see the fireman."
O'Rear was helping direct traffic at the scene of a two-car crash that had happened earlier between the Burger King and Hardee's fast-food restaurants in the 7900 block of East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga police said. He was standing on the double yellow line in the utility lane directing westbound traffic, police said.
Andrea L. Payne, who was traveling eastbound, didn't see the firefighter, Chattanooga police said, and the impact sent O'Rear over the passenger side of her Mercedes.
"I seen him flying in the air," Pettway said. "The car just kept going."
Payne was questioned Sunday night but not arrested. She could not be reached Monday for comment.
O'Rear, who was hospitalized Sunday night, had his condition upgraded to fair Monday, Deputy Fire Chief Chris Adams said.
"He has some injuries that are going to take some time to heal," Adams said.
O'Rear is a well-liked firefighter, and about 100 of his co-workers came to the visiting area of the hospital emergency room Sunday night, fire department officials said.
"He's one, when you hear the news, your heart goes to your feet," Adams said.
Police will present the results of their investigation to a grand jury that will decide if charges should be brought against Payne, police department spokesman Kyle Miller said.
Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomar [email protected] or www.facebook.com/tim.omarzu or twitter.com/TimOmarzu or 423-757-6651.
Copyright 2015 - Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.
