UPDATE: Woman Hit by Car in Ashland, Name Released
UPDATE: Woman Hit by Car in Ashland, Name Released Save Email Print
Posted: 10:42 PM Oct 7, 2008
Last Updated: 12:13 PM Oct 8, 2008
Reporter: Tim Irr
Email Address: tim.irr@wsaz.com

A | A | A

ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A woman was critically injured Tuesday night when she was struck by a car at the corner of 13th Street and Carter Avenue, right in front of a Bob Evans restaurant.

Police say it appears 56-year old Tonya Blanton was crossing the street and walked into the path of the car.

Blanton was flown to Cabell-Huntington Hospital with severe head and chest trauma. The accident happened around 9:30pm.

Police say they don't believe the driver had time to stop, but are still investigating.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information as it becomes available.

More Stories
Man Charged with DUI Shows Up to Hearing Drunk, Deputies Say

Huntington Man Sentenced for Illegally Having Guns

Jennifer Garner Has Second Daughter

Third Man Charged in Mason County Murder

Washburn Baby Death Trial Begins

High Water Reported Around the Region, Some Roads Blocked

Marshall President Gets New Contract; Potential of $93,000 Yearly Bump

Police Seek Help to Catch Hit & Run Suspect Caught on Tape

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: ? on Oct 20, 2008 at 07:58 PM
I was wondering if anyone had any info on Ms.Blanton and her recovery,my family has been praying for her recovery.I was just wondering if there was any updates.

Posted by: ky girl on Oct 15, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I was wondering how Ms. Blanton is doing?I keep praying for her recovery.

Posted by: Fran on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Tanyah is my aunt. She's still in a coma. We all need to ban together and pray for her, instead of arguing about EMS services. I just want to Thank the EMS that was there and kept her alive....Thank you form the bottom of my heart. I don't know what i'd do without her. Tanyah..Keep fighting the fight, i know you can pull through this you have GOD on your side and your one of his soldiers! I love you with all of my heart and i miss you so much!!!!! I pray for you 24/7 and you can do this!Your my fighter!

Posted by: to the person with a ? on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I personally know that sometimes people in cars do not have time to stop not because of cell phone use or speed but because they just cant stop. I also know this from experience because 3 years ago my step son was hit on 29th and the boy who hit him had no time to stop. Now the boy is having a hard time with it. As will this driver,

Posted by: nephew on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Status update reply to "Ashland". My aunt is still in an injury-induced coma. That's all I personally know. I visited with her today at 3PM. She has several family members keeping watch and taking care of her affairs, and it's my understanding that the doctors and nurses are doing all they can. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. Also, the correct spelling of her name is Tanyah.

Posted by: concerned on Oct 10, 2008 at 02:01 PM
I was just wondering how that woman is doing?Is she any better?

Posted by: Lynn (Branham) Frasher on Oct 10, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I have known her family since I was very young. My thoughts are with Tonya & her family.

Posted by: THE OTHER CHUCK on Oct 10, 2008 at 08:43 AM
HEY CHUCK, MAYBE THE MED FLIGHT CREW DIDN'T GO SOMEWHERE AND CHANGE PILOTS, MAYBE JUST MAYBE THEY CHANGED PILOTS AT THEIR BASE BEFORE THEY LEFT AND TOLD THE 911 DISPATCHERS JUST TO KEEP THEM INFORMED. MAYBE MED FLIGHT PILOTS HAVE CERTAIN FEDERAL GUIDLINES THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW AS FAR AS HOW MANY FLIGHT HOURS OR HOW MANY HOURS THEY CAN WORK AT ONE TIME AND THIS PILOT WAS AT HIS LIMIT. MAYBE JUST MAYBE CHUCK THE PILOT GOT SICK AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING PILOTS WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE CALL. MAYBE CHUCK THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS GOING ON OUT THERE IN THE REAL WORLD THAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT BECUASE YOUR SCANNER DOESN'T KNOW TO TELL YOU. LOVE YOU GOTTA GO NOW.

Posted by: ? on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Was this car speeding? Was the driver on a cell phone,the police should check cell phones as soon as an accident happens and the families should request it,if it is not checked! Did anyone witness this accident? Drivers need to slow down and (PAY ATTENTION) to what's in FRONT and to the SIDE of them. To many people are stuck or hit by trucks and cars! Laws should be passed in any accidents to do blood test for any kind of prescription drugs,street drugs,or alcohol,because you never know what any driver is taking or has taken. A law needs passed to check all cell phones in vehicles to see if the driver was on it during the time of accidents! It will prevent accidents!

Posted by: SPARKS on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:35 PM
HOW SAD I HOPE THAT SHE IS ALRIGHT MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THIS YOUNG LADY I HOPE THAT SHE MAKES A DRAMATIC RECOVERY FROM THIS .. MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND I HOPE THAT ALL THE NONSENSE FROM CHUCK CALMS DOWN FOR AWHILE THE GIRL IS THE ONE WHO NEEDS PRAYER AND RESPECT NOT A JUDGEMNENT THING ... GOD BLEES YOU ALL

Posted by: THE OTHER CHUCK on Oct 9, 2008 at 09:58 PM
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE OTHER CHUCK, BUT HEY CHUCK GET A LIFE MAN, TURN THAT SCANNER OFF AND GET A JOB. WHERE YOU THERE? DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY CHANGED THE SITE OF THE LANDING ZONE (LZ FOR YOU CHUCK IN CASE YOU CAN'T READ THOSE BIG WORDS)? MAYBE THERE WASN'T ROOM IN ONE OF THE PARKING LOTS AT THE TIME THEN THEY HAD TIME TO CLEAR THE LOT, MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH CHOPPER THEY WERE FLYING THAT DAY WAS THE SMALL ONE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS? MAYBE PATIENT CONDITION CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE CALL. MAYBE YOU DON'T GET ALL OF THE CRITICAL DATA FROM YOUR BELOVED SCANNER BIG GUY. WHAT THIS WORLD REALLY NEEDS IS MORE OF YOU RETIRED VOLUNTEER TATER TOTERS TELLING REAL PARAMEDICS HOW TO DO THEIR JOB. IF YOU HAVE EVER RELIED ON THE CARE OF BOYD COUNTY EMS YOU WOULD BE GREATFUL THAT THEY ARE THERE, I HAVE AND I AM. LOVE YOU GOTT GO NOW.

Posted by: JC on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Good job Chuck for being worried because you sensed confusion. We should be glad that someone is concerned, even if you guys think he is overreacting.

Posted by: Laura on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:28 PM
I think Chuck's upset because he couldn't get in on the action and had to sit and listen. Running down the BCEMS people isn't a good way to get people to believe anything you have to say. I've set up many lz's for med flights in the past and dude, learn what your talking about before making posts. What are you trying to do be witness for a law suit? Grow up and if you weren't on the scene working the accident, then you have no idea what was really going on.

Posted by: ems girl on Oct 9, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Chuch, did you stop to consider the fact that maybe they changed the location of the helicopter landing zone to bob evans because it would be closest to pick up the patient? Be thankful that trained emergency medical personnel arrived on scene quickly to care for this lady. She deserves dignity and respect. Did you trade your 15 year volunteer career for the home scanner?

Posted by: unbelieveable on Oct 9, 2008 at 02:13 PM
chuck... you can't possibly expect to understand everything that is going on while listening to a scanner. especially since you are so wrong in what you think happened. an out of state ambulance service stopped at the accident to render aid and probably contacted the 911 people themselves to tell them what had happened and what they needed. just because you don't hear it on the scanner, doesn't mean it doesnt happen- cell phones are prominent among people you know. also, before you go putting down a service, maybe you should work with one and learn how things work. no one did anything wrong here. med flight isn't a tax based service. they can do what they want just like any other non tax based service. if they have a rule to switch pilots- that's their rule. they didn't ask for back to back flights- it just happened. knock it off and learn or join before you go confusing the public. and no, MTS was not involved in this.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 9, 2008 at 07:55 AM
People, people, people (and by people I mean Chuck)! Whatever happened to basic grammar and spelling? Here's a refresher course for those of you having issues: ridiculous crucial a lot

Posted by: to chuck on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:40 PM
to chuck: your words in your post are so incorrect. it is obvious you were at home listening to a scanner and not a part of an actual EMS system. you are correct about changing pilots- however, there is rules for them to follow like other folks; you may not agree with them but they are rules. dont start your trap without checking the facts behind an EMS system's rules. im so glad you aren't a part of a true paid EMS system because your decision to post here shows what type of decision you would make when treating a real trauma patient. wow! your inexperience shows greatly! myself... i'd like to thank the BCEMS crew for taking excellent care of this extremely critical patient. you boys are a part of america's true heros that are always lost behind the war heros. good job BCEMS paramedics! just another life that crept through skilled hands and excellent decision making! as for the patient... i hope you make it. i would miss passing you on the street every day. God Bless.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Chuck learn how to spell and get your facts right. MTS was not on the scene but, thank God SEOEMS was. Everyone involved in this incident is in our thoughts and prays. Especially the driver and victim

Posted by: Summoner on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Shes my Great aunt. I miss her and we love her . Pray for her recover. Thanks :(

Posted by: ashland on Oct 8, 2008 at 06:37 PM
anyone know the condition of the lady? our prayers are with her

Posted by: Paula on Oct 8, 2008 at 03:04 PM
This is my aunt and I hope everyone will pray for her. Tonyah we all love you!

Posted by: chuck on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:53 PM
i am praying for the victimand family and also for the driver and their family what a tragedy but i want to say this to the med flight crew your crew should be fired for their decision to go to another location and switch out pilots before continuing to the scene especially when you had been told of massive head and chest injuries at the scene why would any emergency crews make such a rediculous decision is beyond me i served for 15 yrs on a volunteer ambulance service and never have heard suh a bad decision as this how i know of this you ask is i have a scanner at home and just happened to be listening to it when this call went out and i will say this i have never heard such confusion making crusaul decisions quickly as i did last night from decision as to where lz would be to med flight deciding to set down elsewhere to switch pilots why not have the other pilot meet you on scene boyd co EMS you need to disipline everyone involded in that decision tg MTS happen to be in the area

Posted by: audrey. on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:49 AM
this is my great aunt. i love her so much and so dearly. and to hear the pain she is going through and suffering, hurts. please keep her in your thoughts and prayers everyone. thankyou.

Posted by: chuck on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:47 AM
first off i want to say my prayers and blessings go to the injured lady and her family i happened to have my scanner turned up when this tragedy happened and i heard alot of the call on scene and after and i cannot for the life of me understand the confusion from the first emergency vehicle arrived to the time the scene was cleared what i am referring to is first they were going to set a medical chopper down on 13th street and a few minutes later they determined that the lot behind the elks club would be a better site then a few moments later they decided to change that decision and move the lz to bob evans parking lot and right after the first call went out they requested that air medical was needed and to add more confusion med flight contacted dispatch that they were going to change out pilots before continuing to the scene now i have had medic training and never had heard of such a rediculus decision especally when they were told the victim had massive head and chest injuries WHY

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:22 AM
THIS IS SO SAD BOTH PEOPLE NEED TO BE REMEMBERED.

Posted by: ashland citizen on Oct 8, 2008 at 09:37 AM
that is crazy i am wondering how that happened hopeful she is ok and tha tpolice find out what happened

Posted by: bonn on Oct 8, 2008 at 08:52 AM
No updates on this one either??

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 8, 2008 at 07:29 AM
We need to keep all involved in our prayers!

Posted by: susan on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:32 PM
we need to keep both the woman hit and the driver in our prayers. God bless you both.

PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354
The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: AriCheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joeI have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: KatyAs a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephenWhy the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: RobertAlthough I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: BoydIf the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: RobWhy does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: ChrisTo Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: PabloTeachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: CraigIf what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresaracist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-OfficerI agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: GarlandWhat's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: RobertWe the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Prudential Bunch
Since 1959 unequaled performance
Moms4Moms
By moms, for moms
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
WVA Electric
Visit our unique lighting lab
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs
Budget Blinds
The best in custom window coverings
Smackdown Live
Watch & Win: Win 2 tickets to Smackdown Live
Healthy Tri-State
Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009

WSAZ Mobile