70-year old Adopt-A-Highway volunteer Cornelius “Corky” Van Handel was picking up trash along the side of Highway 41 in Lawrence on last Wednesday evening when he was hit by a car and killed in a tragic pedestrian accident.

Investigators into the accident say that 31-year old Lucia Torres Bisarraga was traveling south on Highway 41 when she drifted out of her lane, into the shoulder, and hit Van Handel.  Bisarraga told police officers that she lost control because another vehicle swerved into her lane.  However, no witnesses said anything about another vehicle.  Bisarraga is being charged for driving without a license resulting in death and failure to keep the vehicle under control.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Van Handel’s family and friends.