75-Year-Old Roy Stevenson Passes After Pedestrian Collision on New Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A quiet Sunday evening in Winston-Salem ended in heartbreak when 75-year-old Roy Stevenson was struck by a vehicle while walking along New Walkertown Road, according to officials with the Winston-Salem Police Department. The collision occurred just after 8:00 p.m., in a section of roadway that lacks a designated pedestrian crossing and is dimly lit after dark — conditions investigators say may have contributed to the tragedy.
Emergency responders were called to the scene following multiple 911 reports of a pedestrian being hit near the 2400 block of New Walkertown Road. When officers arrived, they found Stevenson lying on the roadway, unresponsive and suffering from severe trauma. Paramedics began performing emergency life-saving measures before rushing him to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Despite their efforts, doctors pronounced Stevenson deceased a short time later.
The driver of the vehicle involved, whose name has not yet been released, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. Police say there were no signs of impairment, and speed does not appear to have been a primary factor in the collision. The preliminary investigation suggests that poor visibility and the lack of pedestrian infrastructure in that area may have played significant roles.
Roy Stevenson was a longtime Winston-Salem resident known in his neighborhood for his kind nature and gentle humor. Neighbors describe him as a man who often took evening walks to stay active and greet familiar faces along his route. “He was always out walking,” said one neighbor, Linda Parker, who lives nearby. “Everyone knew Mr. Stevenson. He’d wave to every car that went by. It’s heartbreaking that something so ordinary for him ended this way.”
According to police reports, Stevenson was walking along the side of the road when he attempted to cross toward a nearby convenience store. The driver traveling southbound on New Walkertown Road did not see him in time to stop. Despite attempting to brake, the vehicle struck Stevenson at mid-lane, throwing him several feet from the point of impact.
The Winston-Salem Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit closed the area for several hours as investigators reconstructed the scene, documenting measurements, skid marks, and lighting conditions. They are now working to determine whether additional safety measures, such as crosswalks or better street lighting, could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Community members have voiced frustration over the continuing dangers along New Walkertown Road. Residents say the stretch between Old Greensboro Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is especially hazardous for pedestrians due to poor lighting and fast-moving traffic. Local advocacy groups, including Safe Streets Winston-Salem, are urging city officials to prioritize pedestrian safety improvements.
In a statement released Monday morning, police extended condolences to the Stevenson family, acknowledging the emotional toll such incidents have on both the loved ones of the victim and the drivers involved. “This was a tragic event that reminds us all of the importance of road awareness and pedestrian safety,” the statement read.
Family members describe Roy Stevenson as a loving father, grandfather, and friend who valued simple joys — time outdoors, conversations with neighbors, and his faith community. His daughter, Angela Stevenson, shared through a family representative that her father “wasn’t just walking that night — he was doing something he loved.”
As the investigation continues, police urge both drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant, especially in areas without sidewalks or crosswalks. No charges have been filed at this time, but the Traffic Enforcement Unit will submit its findings to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office for review once the investigation is complete.
A memorial of flowers and candles has already appeared near the site of the collision, placed by neighbors who say they want to honor a man who brought warmth to everyone around him.
Roy Stevenson’s passing has renewed calls for safer streets in Winston-Salem — and serves as a somber reminder that a single moment on the road can change countless lives.