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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Bessie Smith Strut vendor hits pedestrian with car, police say

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A Bessie Smith Strut vendor struck a pedestrian with his vehicle Monday afternoon, Chattanoga police said in a news release.

Angel Ayala was taken into custody for driving without a license and improper backing after he struck a pedestrian while backing out of a pedestrian-only area on M.L. King Boulevard during the festival, according to a press release from the Chattanooga Police Department.

The pedestrian suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital by Hamilton County emergency personnel, who were already on the scene for the festival, according to the press release.