TV Cameraman Hit, Killed by Car

A longtime television cameraman was struck by a car and killed early yesterday in Upper Marlboro while returning to his vehicle after recording footage of a strip mall fire.

Gordon Davis, 51, had been a fixture on the scene of overnight shootings, fires, accidents and other emergencies for more than a decade, Prince George's County fire department spokesman Mark Brady said yesterday.

Brady said Davis, who worked for partner stations WJLA (Channel 7) and NewsChannel 8, was the only full-time overnight videographer employed by any local news station and could be seen "at just about any of the hot spots in the Washington metro area."

Yesterday morning, his live television truck arrived in the 7500 block of Crain Highway shortly after 1:40 a.m. to cover a blaze in a framing store in the Safeway Shopping Center. Brady said firefighters extinguished the flames within about 30 minutes.

About 2:40 a.m., Davis was crossing Crain Highway (Route 301) to return to the truck when he was struck by a car traveling south, Brady said.

The driver of the car stopped and summoned firefighters still at the strip mall to try to help Davis. He was taken to Southern Maryland Hospital Center and pronounced dead a short time later. There was no crosswalk or traffic signal where he was crossing.

Brady said the accident is under investigation by Maryland State Police, in accordance with regular procedures.

Davis, who lived in Thurmont, in Frederick County, is survived by his wife and teenage daughter, WJLA said. Staff members at the station said Davis liked the overnight shift because it gave him more time with his family.

Bill Lord, vice president for news at WJLA, said Davis "was a beloved character on the overnights both here in the station and among the police, fire and media communities who share those hours."