Pedestrian struck; traffic closed on Rt. 229

Traffic in both directions is closed on Route 229 near Garr Avenue in the town of Culpeper after a car struck a pedestrian this evening.

According to Sgt. S.A. Roy of the Culpeper Police Department, a middle-aged man was struck by a southbound motorist around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Paramedics were performing CPR on the man minutes after the accident, and he has been transported to Culpeper Regional Hospital. Roy did not release the man's identity and did not know his condition.

"His injuries seem to be pretty severe," Roy said.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic was being rerouted onto side streets. Roy said that one lane will eventually open as investigators examine the scene.

The driver, 77-year-old George Stroud of Culpeper, said he was on his way to teaching a Bible study class in Rapidan.

"I had just turned off on 229 (from Route 729) when all of a sudden he was in the middle of the road," Stroud said. "I hit the brakes, then hit him."

Stroud, who was not injured, estimates he was traveling 30-35 mph.

"I don't speed," he said. "I obey the speed limit all the time."

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