May 21, 2013
A local college track coach is recovering from serious injuries after being hit by a pickup truck over the weekend.
According to Mount Olive College, the athletics department says Jackie Kirby was out running Sunday night when she was hit.
Kirby is the assistant cross country/track and field coach at the school.
Wednesday morning she was listed in fair condition at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The college says she's expected to recover.
Mount Olive police say Kirby was struck by a passing pickup truck just after midnight Sunday on East Talton Street.
Det. C.J. Weaver says the woman running in the same direction as traffic, and was wearing dark clothing, but had reflective sneakers. He said the driver stopped to help the woman and is not facing any charges.
Kirby has been with the school since fall 2009. She helped lead the Trojans to sweep the Conference Carolinas track and field championships last spring. She also had a runner qualify for the national finals last fall.
Kirby graduated from Keystone in La Plume, Pa. in 2009. She had a successful running career as a Giant and still holds school records in six different events.
