The father of space shuttle commander Eileen Collins was struck and killed by a car late Monday in Elmira, New York, police confirmed today. The accident happened late Monday in front of a bar on West Washington Avenue in the upstate New York town, according to Sgt. Matt Sweet of the Elmira Police Department. James E. Collins, 79, of Rochester was in the town to hear his daughter speak at Edison and Notre Dame high schools, according to the Star-Gazette newspaper. Police said Collins was walking by himself about 7:30 p.m. when he stepped into traffic on West Washington, Sweet said. "He was attempting to cross the street," Sweet said. Police said 41-year-old Jeffrey Gardner of Elmira was travelling in his Toyota when he collided with Collins. Paramedics arrived later and rushed Collins to Arnot Ogden Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Collins had spoken to a Star-Gazette reporter about his daughter's accomplishments on Monday after hearing her speak at Notre Dame."I'm in awe of her," he said. "I really am." Eileen Collins, who became an astronaut in 1991, flew four space missions. She also served as a commander aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1999 and most recently last year's return to flight mission of space shuttle Discovery. The traffic accident closed portions of the street and nearby streets for a short time on Monday night. Police were at the scene well into the evening taking measurements and recording details.An investigation continues.
  