Pedestrian taken to hospital, driver cited in Morgan Junction crash

We finally have key details on a Fauntleroy/California car-vs.-pedestrian crash this afternoon that several people e-mailed to ask about, almost all worrying that “it looked bad.” Seattle Fire had told us they didn’t take anyone to the hospital – but their records didn’t indicate whether that meant “nobody went to the hospital” or “private ambulance took someone to the hospital.” Tonight, Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams just found that information for us: He says a private ambulance did take the pedestrian to the hospital (which usually means the injuries were *not* life-threatening). He also says the driver who hit the pedestrian was “cited for right-of-way at crosswalk.”

8 Replies to "Pedestrian taken to hospital, driver cited in Morgan Junction crash"

  • austin December 22, 2010 (8:34 am)

    And until police start treating car vs pedestrian incidents like the crimes that they actually are, drivers will continue to wield their vehicles in a careless and dangerous manner. A driver running into a pedestrian in a crosswalk is no different than someone firing a gun off at the Sunday farmers’ market and accidentally shooting a person.
    I hope for a quick recovery for the victim in this crime and that their holiday season hasn’t been too severely impacted by the “necessary” evil of reckless driving.

  • Ted December 22, 2010 (12:12 pm)

    Austin,

    I’ll start by saying that I don’t know any of the details in this case, so my comments are on the topic of pedestrian safety in general. I am both a pedestrian and a driver in this city and when you’re driving there is a lot to look for. Drivers are going to make honest errors. I’ll give my age away here, but I remember as a kid in the 70’s seeing PSA’s on TV for “defensive driving” or as they would always say, “look out for the other guy”. If our primary objective is to keep people from getting hit, as opposed to having people get hit and then imposing severe punishments on the driver, I think our efforts would be better spent teaching a little “defensive walking”. I see too many people just step right off curbs into a street without even looking either way. I have had this discussion with my own teenage sons when they displayed the attitude, “but I have the right away”.

    I don’t believe knowing that a driving is going to have the book thrown at him will make it feel much better as you are getting run over.

  • Westy December 22, 2010 (6:50 pm)

    I would have to agree with Ted, I see to many pedestrians try to dart across streets yards from cross walks. as well as even using a cross walk that has no stop light, talking on the phone, and oblivious of cars. And yes I agree that pedestrians have the right away and sometimes they are hard to see but pedestrians do need some “defensive walking” as Ted said.

    Now cyclist are another story:)

  • Born To Be Mild December 22, 2010 (10:18 pm)

    One of the things that helps when walking, cycling, and driving is to look at transportation as a cooperative effort. As a pedestrian, stop and give the driver a chance to see you. If you’re using wheels, understand that you might be invisible if the other driver is looking for another car but you are on a skateboard. I have a fond memory of driving in England and observing what would be outrageous driving here, straddling the centerline, and the other drivers just moved aside, no screaming, no horn honking, just the attitude that we’re all just trying to get to our destinations. The guy making his own passing lane was no big deal.

  • old timer December 22, 2010 (10:24 pm)

    Eliminate ‘free rights’.
    Pick a few contentious intersections and put up
    ‘NO TURN ON RED’ signs.
    That would go a long way to calming traffic.
    It would those drivers who have so much to deal with
    the time and space they need,
    but won’t give to themselves and others.

  • Carol December 22, 2010 (10:34 pm)

    I agree with both the above comments. We must all practice defensive walking, cycling, and driving. Make yourself very visible. Pay attention. Be present!!

    It is better be late to work or school or pciking up the kids than being in an accident.

  • LovingWS December 23, 2010 (11:26 am)

    As a pedestrian the has been hit by a car at this particular intersection, at that exact spot, it looked like the same exact thing that recently happened to me. This incident, which i passed, the vehicle had damage to the wind beaker thing on the front, driver side.
    In my case, the driver looked to the right(a red no walk for pedestrians) and not to the left(clear green walk for pedestrians, and me 75-80% already across the road’s crosswalk). I had waited for the crosswalk signal, looked to my left for cars, and walked across. The car at the corner made a short stop, which i saw, and started the vehicle again when half of my body was in front of it. Because I was only halfway in front, I was able to roll back after being hit, instead of flying off my feet and being taken away in an ambulance.
    I don’t know how much more of a defensive walker I would have to be. Drivers should look both ways, including crosswalks, regardless. I shouldn’t have to stop 5 times in the green lit crosswalk for each successive driver to make eye contact with me.

  • Julia December 23, 2010 (12:26 pm)

    As my father always says, “Nobody ever got run over by a traffic light. Watch for the cars.”

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