Victim killed while crossing Columbus Ave. identified; probe into crash continues

The area where a city woman on a mobility scooter was struck and killed on Friday. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The woman killed while trying to cross Columbus Avenue on Friday has been identified as a 57-year-old Rochester woman.
Cindy Aspinall was traveling in a mobility scooter around 1:55 p.m. when she was struck in the roadway near Kentucky Fried Chicken by a vehicle headed south.
The Strafford County Technical Accident Reconstruction Team was called to assist with the investigation, which shut down the roadway for about three hours. Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said today that the investigation into the accident continues.
Police have not released the name of the driver of the car that struck Aspinall.
Anyone who witnessed the accident is encouraged to contact the Rochester Police Department at (603) 330-7128.
Meanwhile the City Council tonight will decide whether to approve a flashing crosswalk beacon near Kentucky Fried Chicken on Columbus Avenue, in the area where Aspinall was struck.
City Councilor Dana Berlin, who has been leading the effort to make the crosswalk safer, said on Sunday it's possible that the fatal accident may not have occurred had more safety enhancements been in place.
Last April Berlin asked city staff to reach out to Eversource to get estimates on additional street poles and lighting to provide more nighttime illuminations, but Eversource failed to respond, he said.
"I'm angry," said Berlin. "After eight months trying to get an estimate from Eversource and not get a response?"
Berlin said he first made the request in April and if the public safety committee had gotten a timely response, the safety improvements could have been up in June.
Frustrated with Eversource's lack of a response, Berlin moved to purchase the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at last month's public safety committee meeting. A voice vote to send it to the City Council was unanimous.
Berlin said photos of the accident scene appear to show that the victim was in the crosswalk when she was struck. He said photos also indicate that the vehicle was taking a left on Columbus Avenue from Upham Street.
The rapid flashing beacons that will be voted on tonight are similar to those in place outside Lilac City Grille on North Main Street. The cost will be around $20,000, Berlin said.