Pedestrian Killed Tuesday Night

By Debbie Gregory

Last Tuesday night, a pedestrian was killed when he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 52 By Pass East and Oak Street.

 

According to THP Sgt. Ashley Mercer, who was called around 6:45 p.m. on November 20th, 60-year-old Richard “Rick” Temple, of Lafayette, was crossing Highway 52 By Pass East inside the Lafayette city limits, after leaving a convenience store. “Mr. Temple walked in front of an eastbound Ford pickup truck driven by Mrs. Fonda Fleming, of Red Boiling Springs,” said Sgt. Mercer, “and she did everything she could to avoid hitting him.”

Mr. Temple, who was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed.

Those responding to the scene were the Lafayette Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Macon County Sheriffs Office, Macon County EMS, and the Lafayette Fire Department.

Jean Miles, of Macon Helps, said Rick Temple was very funny, always had a joke to tell, and he always tried to help out other folks. “Rick tried to help other people whenever he could, and in return folks loved him and respected him,” said Jean. “He volunteered occasionally at Macon Helps and he worked at Gibson’s Cafe a few years ago.”

“Rick Temple had a lot of sadness in his life,” Jean continued. “First he lost his mother, then he lost everything he owned in Hurricane Katrina when he lived in Louisiana, and unfortunately his fiance died shortly after that.”

“He loved college football, fishing, grilling out and having his friends over,” noted Jean. “Rick will be missed by everyone who knew him.”

Added Rick’s friend Jessie Sellars, “Rick was a real good guy and he did a lot for the people at the Housing Authority where he lived. He was a good friend to all the folks there, Rick Temple was one of a kind.”