Woman killed in highway accident
Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 23, 2000
An Adams County woman was killed early Thursday in a tragic highway accident. Anneliese &uot;Anna&uot; Bland, 60, of 50 Farr Road was crossing U.S. 61 in Washington around 5:20 a.m when she was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
It was still dark outside when Bland was struck by a Ford Taurus driven by Dwayne Scott, 23, 461A Tate Road, said Trooper Terry White of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
&uot;(The driver) said he looked up and she was directly in front of him,&uot; White said.
Scott tried to swerve out of Bland’s way but was unable to do so, the trooper said, adding that she was killed on impact.
From the point of impact, Bland was thrown 102 feet and landed in the vicinity of the turnoff to Historic Jefferson College, White said.
Bland’s body was also struck by a second vehicle driven by Lynda Forman, 48, 33 Howard Loop Road, after Scott drove to a nearby gas station for help, White said.
Scott was taken to Natchez Community Hospital complaining of neck and back pain, White said.
Scott told officials he was driving 46 mph at the time of the accident. Officials did not find any skid marks on the roadway, White said. No charges had been filed late Thursday. White thought the time of day may have made it difficult for Scott to see Bland.
If someone is walking in the road like that &uot;the chances of you seeing them (are) very slim,&uot; White said.
Bland was a familiar sight to area motorists because of her habit of picking up cans along the roadside.
&uot;We’re just going (to) miss seeing her and having her around,&uot; said Toni Smith, an employee at Christie’s Chevron on U.S. 61 North. &uot;I can’t ever remember not seeing her since I’ve been in Natchez.&uot;
Bland was out picking up cans Thursday when the accident happened.
&uot;She just picked up cans because she wanted something to do really,&uot; said Lisa Martinez, one of Bland’s neighbors. &uot;She wanted to make sure every little penny was counted for. She valued a dollar.&uot;
Bland lived in a modest trailer, with a neatly manicured yard, a few miles from the scene of the accident.
&uot;Every morning before daylight she’d be out (walking). That’s what amazed everybody,&uot; she said.
Bland grew up in Germany but moved to Natchez after marrying Jodie Bland.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Laird Funeral Home.