Kingston woman, 50, killed in Lewis County

A 50-year-old Kingston woman was struck and killed by a pickup truck in Lewis County.

A 50-yearold Kingston woman who had only recently begun working for the Coleman Brothers Circus was struck and killed by a pickup truck in Lewis County early Monday while crossing a highway on foot, state police and a company spokeswoman said.

Bridget M. Weir was struck at 1:28 a.m. while crossing state Route 12 in the town of West Turin after exiting a tractor-trailer parked on the northbound shoulder of the highway, across from the entrance to a Stewart’s gas station, state Trooper Jack L. Keller said. He said Weir was a passenger in the Coleman Brothers truck carrying circus equipment.

Keller said the tractor-trailer had recently left Gouverneur and was headed to its next show in Norwich.

Mary Oakes, a secretary at Coleman Brothers, said Weir had joined the circus shortly after its July run in Kingston. Oakes said Weir sold tickets for rides.

“We’re all devastated by [her death]. She was a great worker. A great person . ... Always polite. Overly kind. We just can’t believe it,” Oakes said.

Keller said Weir was apparently headed for a rest room at the gas station when she crossed the road on foot into the path of a southbound Chevrolet Avalanche driven by James T. Ashley, 29, of Massena.

State police said no criminal charges are expected against the driver.

Weir was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica by ambulance where she succumbed to her injuries, police said.

West Turin is midway between Utica and Watertown.