ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — A pedestrian attempting to cross Highway 182 in Orange Beach was struck and killed last week.

Arden Albright, a Wisconsin resident and winter visitor, crossed the usually busy four lane highway Jan. 5 around 7 p.m. unaware of the 2007 Nissan Altima that drove toward him.

Albright, 81, was struck and killed instantly by driver Herbert Kandel of Fairhope.

Kandel is a writer whose column Tri-O’s: Oddities, Observations & Opinions is published in several newspapers within the Gulf Coast Newspaper family. He is an entrepreneur and a former human resources executive.

“It was an unfortunate accident,” Orange Beach Assistant Chief Greg Duck said. “There was nothing the driver could have done to avoid the accident.”

Kandel was driving west on Highway 182 and Duck said neither alcohol nor speed were factors. Kandel declined to comment.

While Albright is the first pedestrian fatality for Pleasure Island this year, he isn’t the only death reported.

Past years have resulted in numerous pedestrian and bike accidents that resulted in deaths. The number of pedestrian and bicycle deaths was not readily available by the Orange Beach Police Department.

Lt. Dennis King with the Gulf Shores Police Department said pedestrians can easily avoid accidents.

“They (pedestrians) have to pay attention to what they are doing,” King said.

He said accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles occur throughout the summer and winter months and they are caused by inattention.

King advises to look both ways twice before crossing the street.

At night, wear light colored clothing and avid night walkers or joggers are encouraged to invest in reflective gear.

Proposals for crosswalks have surfaced over the years but have never been approved until recently.

Orange Beach Engineering and Environmental Services director Kit Alexander said a crosswalk will be constructed toward the end of the year in front of Phoenix West II.

The condominium is building the elevated crosswalk as part of its public benefit to the city and must complete it before receiving their certificate of occupancy.

The crosswalk will align with a public beach access Phoenix West is also creating.

Alexander also said the Alabama Department of Transportation is responsible for allowing city crosswalks.