Linda Pusey Harper

A 33-year-old Ocilla woman was killed early Wednesday when she stepped into the path of a moving vehicle on North Irwin Avenue.

Police Chief Herman Chaney identified the woman as Linda Pusey Harper who resided in the Pine Hill Community. Chaney said Ms. Harper was pronounced dead on arrival in the emergency room at Irwin County Hospital.

The report showed the accident occurred just after 5:45 a.m. near the intersection of Cargile Road. Chief Chaney said Ms. Harper was apparently walking south on the eastern side of Irwin Ave. and may have decided to cross over to the hospital side of the street and stepped into the path of a pickup truck driven by Harold Wynn of Ocilla. Wynn told officers he had left Osceola Restaurant about 5:45 o'clock and was on his way to work at W.E. Ross & Sons. As he approached the hospital area he said he looked ahead and noticed that someone was walking along the edge of the street ahead of him. He glanced down at his speedometer, he said, and suddenly Ms. Harper was there and he had no way of avoiding the impact.

Capt. Nelson Paulk, Officer Tommy Clements, and Deputy Welcie Florence investigated the accident and determined it unavoidable.

Funeral services for Ms. Harper will be held at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon (Thursday) at Ocilla Primitive Baptist Church with interment to follow at Henderson Chapel Cemetery. Elder Foster Barnard will be the officiting minister.

Born in Irwin County, and a graduate of Irwin County High School, she had lived most of her life in Ocilla.

Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Mazie Benson Hutto, and step-father, Vermie Hutto; her father, Jack Pusey of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three daughters: Miss Regina Williams of Savannah, Miss Christy Harper, and Miss Lillian Pusey, both of Ocilla; three brothers: Jud and Ronnie Pusey, both of Ocilla, and Larry Hutto of Wray; and a sister, Mrs. Brenda H. English of Wray.

Paulk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.