The crosswalk in front of the Bushnell Library in downtown Sheffield where Gillian Seidl, 79, of Sheffield was struck and killed on April 24, 2017. Photo: Terry Cowgill

Sheffield pedestrian dies after being struck by truck

At about 6:15 p.m. Monday, April 24, Gillian Seidl, 79 of Bull Hill Road, was in the Main Street (Route 7) crosswalk near the entrance to the Bushnell Library when she was struck by a pickup truck traveling southbound

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information.

Sheffield — Tragedy struck Sheffield early last evening as a longtime beloved town resident and co-founder of a local theatre company, Gillian Seidl, was hit by a pick-up truck and killed in a downtown crosswalk.

Gillian Seidel
Gillian Seidl

At about 6:15 p.m. Monday, April 24, Seidl, 78 of Bull Hill Road, was in the Main Street (Route 7) crosswalk near the entrance to the Bushnell Library when she was struck by a pickup truck traveling southbound, Sheffield Police Officer Jake Gonska told The Edge. Gonska said the driver, whom he did not identify, was unharmed and “no charges are being filed at this time.”

Sheffield Police and Fire departments responded immediately to the scene, as did the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad.

“They immediately started life-saving procedures but due to severity of her injuries, they were not able to revive her,” Gonska said of Seidl, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheffield Police, the Berkshire County District Attorney’s office and a State Police accident reconstruction team continue to investigate the crash.

Seidl was a member of the town’s Cultural Council and co-founder with Joan Ackermann of Mixed Company, Berkshire County’s oldest year-round theater. Her son-in-law Charlie Derr posted a tribute on Facebook describing her as “a wonderful actor, artist and person, [who] will be greatly missed by all around her.”

“She leaves behind her three children and their families, her son James, her daughters Anna and Michelle (my wife), but most of all, her loving husband Jirka (George), who loved her for 50+ years with all of his heart. Life is precious.”

Other tributes poured in. “So very sad to hear this. She was an awesome lady that I enjoyed spending time with especially last summer at Disney World,” wrote Jenny Lothridge.

In an interview, Seidl’s friend Roselle Chartock said she had known her for the 25 years they have been involved with the Housatonic Valley Art League.

“We would see each other at the shows and we would talk about art,” Chartock recalled. “Her whole disposition was welcoming, warm and bright. When you encounter her, you were encountering light. There are not too many people like that in life.”

Hans Heuberger of the art league told The Edge that Seidl, a native of Scotland, was “a gentle, enthusiastic, active and long-time member of the art league.”

“She was a member for a long time,” Heuberger said “I’ve been connected to her for nearly 25 years. I knew and admired her.”

The library was closed that day, as it is every Monday, but the art league was hosting a film screening but the entrance was blocked by traffic cones because the road to the library was being paved. Seidl was crossing Route 7, carrying refreshments and intending to set-up when she was struck in the crosswalk by the truck.

“Another art league member was across the street, waiting to help her and unfortunately witnessed this senseless tragedy,” Heuberger said.  “I came on the scene moments later.”

Gonska declined to elaborate or speculate on the cause of the crash. Temperatures were in the 60s, skies were sunny and the roads were dry at the time of the crash. Until last week, there was a stoplight at the bridge near Miller Avenue a few hundred yards north of the crash.

That bridge had been under construction with only one lane open. But work has stopped, both lanes are now open and the stoplight has been removed, allowing for a freer flow of traffic and higher speeds.

Funeral arrangements for Seidl have not yet been announced.