Memphis, TN : woman killed after being struck by a vehicle in the 600 block of Western Park on Sunday, Nov 15, 2015

A woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle. Police arrested the driver of the vehicle.

The incident happened in the 600 block of Western Park.

The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead. Police identified the woman as 51-year-old Caroline Banks.

Investigators said 21-year-old Keoni Harris hit the back of another vehicle, sideswiped that same vehicle, and then hit Banks as she was trying to open her car door. Harris continued to drive, hit the curb, and crashed into a brick mailbox.

"It just sounded like a big loud boom,” said one unidentified resident who was inside her home when she heard the sound of the SUV hitting Banks. "I feel terrible, I feel terrible for the family and everybody that's involved."

According to the affidavit, the SUV hit Banks as she was getting out of her car. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The speed limit in the area is 35, but residents said drivers often exceed that and something like speed bumps are needed to force drivers to slow down.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen from one minute to the other; I’m just so sorry about it,” said the resident.

Police arrested Harris. He is charged with driving while license is suspended/revoked, striking a parked vehicle, financial responsibility law, reckless driving and striking a fixed object.

Source :

Woman killed by vehicle, driver arrested