68-year-old dad killed by car near Clemson campus, SC officials say. ‘Selfless spirit’
A pedestrian was struck and killed near the Clemson University campus and a student has been charged with driving under the influence, according to South Carolina officials.
The pedestrian, later identified as 68-year-old Robert Barrett, was struck just after 8:00 p.m. on March 15, according to a news release from the Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the Clemson University Police Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Michael Lee Lyon III, a student, is charged with driving under the influence, according to a report from the Clemson University Police Department.
An officer who spoke to Lyon after the crash reported that his eyes were “glossy and dilated” and a “very strong odor of burnt marijuana” was coming from the vehicle, the report says.
Witnesses told police that Barrett appeared to hesitate in a median before crossing the street outside of a crosswalk and getting hit, according to the report.
Officers later took a religious medallion off of Barrett’s body to give to family members/, who said he always carried it with him, the report says.
Barrett is remembered as a “treasured” husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, according to his obituary. He was an avid pickleball player and member of the Clemson University Methodist Church, where he led Bible study and started the group Methodist Men.
He once worked as a professor in the Clemson University business school and retired as the Dean of the Business School at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, the obituary says.
He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and programs helping low income families file taxes, according to his obituary.
“Most of all, Bob poured his heart into the grandchildren he adored,” the obituary says. “... His kindness and selfless spirit will be remembered by many.”
A friend of Barrrett’s wrote on Facebook that he was a “precious, sweet, kind, bright star” in the pickleball community.
“Even though he was one of the strongest players he was so sweet about playing with the weaker ones,” she wrote. “... I truly enjoyed every minute I got to play with him. He was amazingly fast.”
Other players wrote in comments that they enjoyed playing with Barrett and were grateful for having known him.
“Always one of my favorites to play with from day one,” one person wrote. “He radiated kindness and encouraged all the time.”
“He was always so welcoming from day one, inviting me to play, giving encouragement when I was not doing well, praised me when I hit a good shot,” another friend said. “A sweet kind soul.”
Clemson is about 140 miles northwest of Columbia.
Mom of 3 killed after accused drunk driver in forklift strikes SUV, Washington cops say
Tow truck driver dies in wreck just months before his wedding, Georgia family says
Crash killed passenger taking Snapchat from sunroof, CA officials say. Driver sentenced
