Homeless woman dies after being struck by vehicle in Springfield

A Springfield homeless woman who was struck by a vehicle last week has died, according to a release.

Petra Hensler, 53, sustained critical injuries when she was crossing Glenstone Avenue and was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound around 7 p.m. on Jan. 26. She was traveling with her partner, Kevin Drake. Drake, as well as the driver, Anthony Hutchins, 19 of Springfield, were not injured.

Hensler died Saturday.

Hensler was featured in a short documentary made by photographer and filmmaker Randy Bacon a couple years ago.

In that documentary, Hensler and Drake spoke about being judged because they were homeless.

"People look at us differently. We are not," an emotional Hensler said in the documentary. "They think all the homeless people are bad. And we are not.

"I want to be treated fair. That's about it."

Bacon's studio is in downtown Springfield and known among the homeless as a welcoming place.

"Petra, she was a great person. And I don't say that flippantly. I say that in the highest regard," Bacon said. "You see the homeless side of her and you don't think that word. But she was funny. (Bacon's wife) Shannon used to always call her sassy."

Bacon said he's known Hensler and Drake for about five years.

"We've seen a ton of love stories, and they definitely had a good one," Bacon said. "Kevin truly, deeply loved her and really did want to protect her."

Bacon said he's worried about Drake and planned to drive around and look for him Monday afternoon.

Devery Mills, an advocate for the homeless and founder of Hearts for the Homeless, knew Hensler well.

"As an advocate, our street people become family and we love them unconditionally," Mills said in an email. "No matter who they are, every life is precious. Petra will be missed by many."

In another Randy Bacon-produced video posted Sunday, Hensler said, "I just gave up on myself for a while. But I'm tired of being like this — homeless and people looking down on me."

The investigation is ongoing, the release from police said, and there is no indication that impairment was a factor in the crash.

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