Woman run over by cyclist on Centennial Trail files lawsuit

(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)

SPOKANE, Wash. -A Spokane woman who was run over by a cyclist last month on the Centennial Trail has filed a lawsuit against the man she says didn’t even try to avoid smashing into her.

On Sept. 22, 67-year-old Virginia Pearsall was walking near Kendall Yards with her sister when she heard someone behind her yell, “Hot pizza!”

"I felt like I got hit by a truck," said Pearsall. "The impact was so great, it was unbelievable."

Witnesses estimate 44-year-old Justin Haller was going more than 20 mph when he crashed into her and started screaming at her, blaming her for the accident.

"He was not very nice,” said Pearsall. “And yelling at us saying it was our fault.”

Pearsall’s attorney, Daniel Fasy, says Haller yelled “should have got the f--- out of the way,” and “she had no right to be on the trial,” and that the trial was “for cyclists only.”

READ THE FULL LAWSUIT HERE

“He took away from her the ability to enjoy walks on the trail that she enjoyed every day,” said Fasy. “She doesn’t feel safe because when she did go out and walk the trail she was smashed into by some reckless bicyclist.”

Pearsall went to the ER following the crash and was diagnosed with serious injuries including fractures. According to the lawsuit, she was expecting Haller to show up but he never did.

Furthermore, Haller never gave Pearsall his name or contact information. Fasy says she found him with the help of family and social media.

Fasy says the lawsuit is based on three claims: Negligence, outrage, and consortium.

Haller could not be reached for comment.