Ex-LSU professor hit, killed

A 90-year-old former LSU professor died Thursday after being hit by a car downtown.

Eugene Tims was crossing the street when he was hit in the 200 block of East Boulevard shortly before noon, said Cpl. Tommy Stubbs, Baton Rouge Police spokesman. Tims was taken by Emergency Medical Services to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and died there about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, his daughter, Julie Thompson, said Friday.

Police had not confirmed Tims’ death Friday night.

The driver was not cited, though police said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Tims had been walking to bring oranges to his car from the Kiwanis Club meeting he had been attending at the Women’s Club. Someone had taken the oranges to the club meeting to share with members.

“I’m guessing he did not see the oncoming car and walked right into it,” said Robert Lyle, who was inside the Women’s Club at the time and did not see the accident.

“He was in real, real bad shape,” Lyle said. “Some of the guys went out there and came back and said, ‘I don’t think he’s gonna make it.’ ”

Tims was a retired professor emeritus of electrical engineering at LSU. He was active in the Presbyterian church, serving as a deacon, lay preacher and Sunday school teacher.