Speeding not factor in crash that killed pedestrian

Boynton Beach police said Wednesday that speeding was not a factor in the Sunday crash that killed Timothy Baxter. Also, the traffic homicide investigators do not expect to file criminal charges against the driver, police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said.

Baxter, 53, was headed east trying to cross Seacrest Boulevard north of Woolbright Road when he was hit by a northbound Chevy Cavalier, driven by Vanessa Murphy, 35, of Boynton Beach. She was not injured, police said. Baxter was taken to Delray Medical Center where he later died.

Police have not yet said if Baxter was in the crosswalk when trying to cross Seacrest.

Baxter’s friends and family plan to gather Saturday at the Boynton Woman’s Club at 10 a.m., said Valry English Pritchard, who grew up with Baxter.

Baxter was known as a friendly face in the neighborhood and took care of many residents’ lawns. He was often seen on the streets near Seacrest Boulevard and his home on Southeast Ninth Avenue. William Shawn Breze called Baxter “our mascot for Boynton.” Peter Nixon, part owner of Hoffmann and Nixon Air Conditioning, called him the “neighborhood watchman.”

Friends of Baxter’s came to the City Commission meeting Monday and called for the 40 mph speed limit on Seacrest to be lowered to stop speeders. The boulevard is not run by Boynton, however. The county would determine if that is necessary, Boynton officials said. But by Tuesday evening, a radar speed sign was installed near the scene of the wreck. .

Officers continue to investigate the wreck. Slater described a traffic homicide investigation as “time-intensive,” and said investigators need to be “extremely meticulous” in their work.