Local & State Headlines

Accident kills 1, injures 2

• One person is dead and two others are injured after being run over at an Albany restaurant.

J.D. Sumner

ALBANY — A trip to an Albany fast-food restaurant proved deadly for one woman Thursday after she was struck by a vehicle in the drive-through lane at the Burger King on North Slappey Boulevard.

Judith Roseanne Eubanks, 30, of Shellman, died at the scene, authorities said. Her twin sister, Julie Todd, and her 4-year-old daughter, Emily, were both taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Hospital officials at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital said that Emily Eubanks was in fair condition Thursday night and did not have a record of Julie Todd being at the hospital. APD spokesperson Phyllis Banks said that Raymond Williams, 78, of Smithville, was ordering food at the drive-through when he said the accelerator pedal stuck on his 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, propelling him through the three people, into the building and over a curb.

People purporting to be Williams’ relatives said at the restaurant that he had been scheduled for a chemotherapy treatment Thursday morning in Albany. Police said that they’re still investigating whether a medical condition or mechanical failure may have contributed to the incident.

“At this point, we’re still investigating those things,” Banks said. “Charges may be filed depending on the results of the investigation.”

Witnesses said that the scene immediately after the incident was chaotic.

“It was crazy,” Teri Barrett said. “There were people running out of the place and she (Eubanks) was just laying there.”

Police quickly secured the scene and helped Williams out of his truck, which sustained significant damage during the incident.

The restaurant was closed during the investigation, but that didn’t prevent spectators from standing on vehicles and peeking over nearby hedges.

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