Police: No charges pending after Eastern Kentucky University professor struck, killed
An Eastern Kentucky University professor has died after she was struck by a vehicle outside a restaurant, according to the Richmond Police Department.
Suzanne Byrd, 64, was hit and injured in a Wendy’s parking lot on Keeneland Drive about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson said. She was a pedestrian at the time. She was given emergency care but died on Friday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, according to Richardson and Byrd’s obituary.
Richmond police are still investigating the collision, but there were “no pending criminal charges” as of Monday, Richardson said.
“Everyone was cooperative,” he said.
Byrd was an associate professor in the biology department at EKU, according to EKU’s website. She had a doctorate from the University of South Alabama and an undergraduate degree from Austin Peay State University.
Byrd was teaching seven courses this semester.
“Dr. Byrd was a much beloved member of the department of biological sciences. She was a gifted teacher and capable of teaching in a variety of disciplines, including introductory biology, cell biology and principles of molecular biology in the curriculum of the biology department,” her obituary read.
EKU President David McFaddin said Byrd’s death “greatly impacted our Colonel family.”
“She embodied the spirit of what it meant to be an educator,” he said in a statement. “She had a love for her students, a dedication to her colleagues, and a passion for her life’s work of biology and chemistry. She impacted many lives on our EKU campus. Our heartfelt thoughts go to her family during this difficult time.”
David Coleman, the executive director of the EKU honors program, said on Facebook that Byrd was “an inspired teacher and generous spirit who brought joy and deep learning to students across our campus.”
“Our campus Counseling Office is available to our community as we grapple with our loss,” Coleman said in his Facebook post. “It was my great pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with her for more than two decades.”
She was named to the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,” according to her obituary. She also received an EKU award for Critical Thinking Teacher of the Year in 2015-16 and the “Golden Apple” award in 2015.
Lisa Thompson, a student, said Byrd would be missed.
“You were such an intelligent woman, such a great educator, and you truly cared for your students and their success,” Thompson said in a Facebook post. “Thank you for all of our interesting discussions and all of the laughter we shared.”
Byrd’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday, according to her obituary. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Eastern Kentucky scholarship fund in her name.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 8:13 AM.