California/Dawson pedestrian death followup: Victim, 92, identified

(Photo from Monday afternoon, while investigators worked at the crash scene)
One day after the deadly crash in the California/Dawson crosswalk south of The Junction, we checked with Seattle Police to get an update on the investigation and the people involved. First: Seattle Police media unit Officer Mark Jamieson tells WSB the victim was a 92-year-old woman; (this added 3:29 pm) the Medical Examiner’s office has just identified her as Rosemary MacCorkindale. Officer Jamieson also tells us the driver was a 77-year-old woman. Both are described as “Seattle residents.” As for whether the crash will result in a citation or charges, none so far, since the investigation is not complete yet, but Jamieson notes the driver did not appear to be “impaired.”

J September 23, 2008 (2:31 pm)

I’d be interested to know, if the information becomes available, whether the victim was using one of the pedestrian flags–I believe this is one of the crosswalks that has them? And, if she wasn’t, were they available, or had they been depleted?

alison September 23, 2008 (3:19 pm)

I was driving through that area today and it looks like all of the flags were there. However, were they there yesterday? I don’t know and were they used, I don’t know that either. I did notice that many drivers were passing that area going pretty fast. Maybe a light at all the major crosswalks on California would be best like they have on Fauntleroy down by the ferry. When I rode my bike in the summer, I felt much safer crossing at those areas than without the lights.

Hippie September 23, 2008 (4:26 pm)

The flags were out there…I could see them from my window. Whether or not the woman used a flag to cross I don’t know.

mellaw6565 September 23, 2008 (4:38 pm)

J – she was in the crosswalk according to the OP.

That’s a busy area around there – not to mention that I think all the parked cars on the street and large trees make it difficult to see pedestrians crossing. There’s a lot there to distract a driver’s attention, including people running back and forth to the motor vehicle tag office across from Rite Aid.

I think flashing crosswalk signs are needed there.

Johnny Davies September 23, 2008 (4:56 pm)

Add the fact that the road quality in that section of our neighborhood is SOOO bad that you have to focus on avoiding the ruts and potholes and you’ve got one sketchy area for both drivers & peds. My thoughts go out to the driver & the victims family.

c September 23, 2008 (6:49 pm)

Although I can’t be sure about whether she was using a flag, I can tell you that there were flags available to be used. I came on the scene just after the accident occured and noticed the flags in the holder. I didn’t see a flag anywhere around the pedestrian, but that really wasn’t my focus at the time.

Katie McA September 23, 2008 (6:49 pm)

This just breaks my heart. I was at the Rite Aid with a friend the other day, and I noticed how hard it is to see in that area depending on the time of day as well. You get some serious Western sunlight there in the afternoon and evening. Of course, it probably wasn’t a factor in this instance, but it’s also still a busy area with a lot of traffic to watch out for. It’s just tragic that someone was hurt there.

remindlessness September 23, 2008 (8:31 pm)

This is a really sad situation all around. Wouldn’t we all love to be able to live to the age of 92 years? I’m also sad for the 77yr old driver as I’m sure her heart is breaking over this. We’ve all made mistakes in our lives and these 2 seniors need some respect don’t you think?

paul September 23, 2008 (9:10 pm)

I agree, this is a very sad story. I have to keep reminding everyone, California, Fauntleroy, 35th Ave SW and Delridge are all not freeways. Every day when I make my trip (many times each day) up and down 35th I am constantly passed by people that have to be going 50. The other morning I had a lady in an SUV talking on her phone (no hands free) and she was tailgating me and giving me the finger because gee, I was going 35! When she finally made it around me she continued on, not stopping for a school bus with a stop sign out on the other side of 35th and ran the red at Morgan.

Alia September 23, 2008 (10:40 pm)

remindless – I too have been thinking about the driver of the vehicle that struck the woman. I wonder how many people in the Seattle area have been through the experience of hitting a ped. Many hearts eternally hurting.

mellaw – I agree, we need the flashing side walks like in Burien. Those really get my attention. I have nearly been hit at that intersection when crossing to the DOL. A lot of people hop out of their car and dart across without using the crosswalk though…

I just hate that part of California Ave. When I’m leaving Rite Aid and need to take a left to go North I always have zero visibility of South bound cars and have to inch the nose of my car out and hope no car is speeding through there.

STEPH September 24, 2008 (7:08 am)

Paul, I think I encountered the same SUV driver. Silver and big. I was at the light going south @ Cal & Edmunds. When the light turned green I starting driving casually in the right lane waiting to merge. All of the sudden the SUV in the left lane slammed on the gas all sassy like as if they thought I was trying to get in front of them. The car never slowed down and continued to FLY down the road right passed where Rosemary had just been hit and passed. Stupid people.

WW September 24, 2008 (7:49 am)

My husband had a customer who witnessed the accident come into his work soon after the woman was hit and this person told him that the woman HAD been using a crossing flag and that it was laying on the ground by her. That’s all I heard. Very sad, but so predictable. Maybe we need stop signs at these intersection! That would slow people down.

cakeitseasy September 24, 2008 (8:26 am)

STOP SIGNS! Simple, inexpensive, effective. (I suggested large speed bumps, but I think stop signs would be even better).

As mentioned, our “freeways” (aka 35th,Fauntleroy Delridge…and Morgan, Admiral) need a new plan. Ironically, the one place where they seem pretty good about enforcing the speed limit is on the actual freeway (the bridge). And,the posted speed limit on part of the actual freeway (35 for most of it) is the same as on the Avenues!

Brandon September 24, 2008 (10:02 am)

It’s only 35 on the narrow viaduct. Its 45 over the highrise, then 40, then 30 going westbound. And how about those people merging from S-99 that HAVE to merge to the center lane in 5 feet after they get off the off-ramp? The turnoffs are way over the high rise, use the space to find a spot rather than cutting everyone off who is already up to speed.

average joe September 25, 2008 (1:21 pm)

very tragic.
cell phones, texting, speeding…all caveats of crosswalks being VERY dangerous.
stop signs are a good idea both for the cars AND the pedestrians
people that just assume it is a crosswalk and just start walking (without even looking for cars) are also to blame.
though it doesn’t sound like this is what happened here…very sad.

Sorry, comment time is over.