Randall J. Rolison
JAMESTOWN — A Jamestown man was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident after a 15-year-old girl was struck and killed Friday.
In a news release, Jamestown police announced the arrest of Randall J. Rolison. The 58-year-old man was released and will appear in Jamestown City Court later to answer the charges.
Rolison was operating a car hauler on West Sixth Street when he hit a girl walking across the street around 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of Washington Street. The semi continued on toward West Ellicott and was eventually stopped in Lakewood.
The girl, identified as Alexis Catherine Hughan, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Additional charges are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.
“This was a very tragic occurrence and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department told The Post-Journal.
Samuelson said the department was being assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, county Accident Reconstruction Team, state Department of Transportation, the Jamestown Fire Department and Alstar EMS.
“We are continuing to investigate this tragic situation,” Samuelson said.
The Jamestown Public Schools District said the victim was a student. The district said resources will be made available when students return to classes Monday.
“JPS has learned of the tragic loss of one of our students due to a fatal accident today at Sixth and Washington Streets,” the district said in a statement. “The JPD will be releasing additional information. We are deeply saddened by this terrible loss to our school community. This incident is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire district, especially our students. JPS is working to ensure that school Crisis Intervention Teams will be ready Monday to help students or staff who may need assistance. Our sympathy, concern and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.”
Detectives were at the scene taking photographs and interviewing witnesses, and area surveillance video was being checked.
Meanwhile, the semi could be seen in the parking lot of the Chautauqua Mall shortly after the accident. It was not immediately made clear if charges were pending.