48 Replies to "Followup: Driver cited in Admiral crash, toddler reportedly home"

• Iggy March 25, 2011 (4:31 pm)

  I wonder what the penalty is for being cited for failure to yield right of way. So sad for everyone involved. I am a frequent pedestrian in all parts of West Seattle and failure to yield has almost gotten me more times than I can recount. I never assume an intersection is safe. I never assume I can walk on the walk light and that a car won’t turn on walk and run me down. I have had many close calls. I always wait for a driver to see me and slow down. Perhaps I am paranoid, but too many drivers are in too much of a hurry. Pedestrians have the right of way, but we have to be ever vigilant.

• NicePerson March 25, 2011 (4:41 pm)

  Ok WSB’ers let this go. Obviously the nanny is in a very unfortunate and bad situation…. but put youself in the position of the person that hit them. That person cant be happy that it happened. If it were me, I would be devestated and last thing I would want are my supposedly friendly WS “neigbors” commenting. Accidents happen — we should all be so vigilant… but accidents happend and good people get hurt. People commenting here really need to put themselves in both sides of the situation before commenting — lest your glass house be shattered.

• Pablo Loco March 25, 2011 (5:08 pm)

  Im sorry but failure to yield right of way is not an accident,It’s a choice.. Not throwing stones here and I understand the driver feels devistated . Hope other drivers can learn from this and be more aware.

• JC March 25, 2011 (5:19 pm)

  “Nice Person” – I know that everyone has accidents, but driving carelessly into pedestrians is not the type of trivial accident that we should just shrug off. Drivers need to exercise caution because their mistakes can have dire consequences.

  If, through negligence, I ever severely injure another person, I will deserve to be criticized. So does the careless driver in this situation. They could have killed a toddler, and you are somehow worried that their feelings might be hurt by blog comments.

• Genesee Hill March 25, 2011 (5:30 pm)

  If my glass house gets shattered by my own negligence, then that is what I deserve. Tough for me. Tough that I did not drive even more carefully. Let it go? I do not think so. I would be devastated. It would be difficult to reconcile.
  But, I will not “let this go”. How about those that were devasted by carelessness?

  WS neighbors commenting? Perhaps many of them have seen the incredible lack of careful and prudent driving.

• enough March 25, 2011 (5:44 pm)

  I’m so sorry to hear about nanny and child for that matter. Terrible. I agree with Nice Person I am sure that the person who hit them feels horrible enough and I doubt it was done ‘carelessly’. If it was they would have kept driving like that driver that hit the dog Lucy. JC I don’t think its up to you or anyone else in this community to stand and shake your finger regarding this incident. That is for police, fire and insurance to do. Of course we are all frightened and upset about this but it was an ACCIDENT and really its time to get off our high horse and stop throwing stones at someone who made a mistake. The person who hit them didn’t purposely say ‘I can’t wait to hit a toddler and his nanny today’. Your criticism isn’t going to stop this from happening again just like it didn’t stop it from happening in the first place. Hopefully you can focus your criticism on yourself where it belongs.

• JayDee March 25, 2011 (5:50 pm)

  Having been a pedestrian crossing with the light across 5th Avenue only to have a SUV turn left and hit me when I had the walk sign (crushing a vertebra) I feel for the nanny and applaud her sacrifice.
  –
  Even a Smart car can cause irreparable damage, and in my mind, because of this inequity of damage, a driver needs to exercise caution when approaching areas like this with limited visibility.
  As another commenter said, nobody does this on purpose, so prevention is what all drivers need to strive for. So too should pedestrians but the nanny was observing all rules in daylight.
  –
  The driver goes home and feels bad; the nanny may need to deal with the consequences of this for the rest of her life.
  –
  I’ve been on both sides of this equation myself, and I know which hurts more.

• John March 25, 2011 (5:52 pm)

  Agreed. Failure to yield…look….drive slow enough to keep the situation under control… all conscious choices, not accidents. So while everybody makes mistakes only irresponsible people endanger others with their vehicle. If one more person says to lighten up about this my respect for West Seattleites is going to tank.

  To those who say “this wasn’t done carelessly”…. if it happened and it wasn’t due to mechanical failure, it was due to carelessness. Plain and simple.

• JimmyG March 25, 2011 (6:03 pm)

  Failure to Yield Right of Way infraction = $124 fine.

• Pablo Loco March 25, 2011 (6:05 pm)

  Amen John, what do these comments say about the mentality of drivers around here. INSANE! You either choose to yield or not. You don’t accidently not yield. If you all feel so sorry for the driver maybe you should hold a benefit to help her with legal fees and such.

• JC March 25, 2011 (6:46 pm)

  enough – What do you think the word careless means? Driving a car into two people who are crossing with the light at a crosswalk is undoubtedly careless. It’s not difficult to look before you turn. In fact, it’s your duty as a driver.

  It’s disturbing how people make excuses for careless drivers who put the lives of others in danger.

• dlc March 25, 2011 (6:54 pm)

  John and Pablo, you are the careless ones if you don’t take responsibility for yourselves when crossing the street. Have common sense and make eye contact with the cars around you before you cross. People often coming running and try to sprint across the street before the light changes. You must think drivers should have some special powers to know this will happen.
  Get over it, I doubt you are a perfect driver if you even drive at all.

• JC March 25, 2011 (7:12 pm)

  So, dlc, the careless ones here are those who were crossing with a traffic light at a crosswalk, not the person who drove into them. Hmmm. Interesting perspective.

  Also, no one is a “perfect driver”. That is precisely why we all need to be alert and careful when we’re driving.

  I can say, though, that even if I am not quite a perfect driver, I have successfully avoided ever running down any pedestrians!

• Dave March 25, 2011 (7:26 pm)

  Defensive walking is important. Making eye contact with a driver is the best way to go. But it has already been established that the pedestrians were crossing, alertly and appropriately. The driver is at fault, clearly, but won’t be charged for reckless driving or assault. The family and the nanny should be advised separately, and do whatever is necessary to secure funding for treatment, etc.

• dlc March 25, 2011 (7:31 pm)

  JC- how great for you that you have avoided ever running down any pedestrians. News flash-most drivers have not. But since you admit that you are not a perfect driver you should work a little harder on that.

• Pablo Loco March 25, 2011 (7:53 pm)

  yah ok DLC- you go explain that to the Nanny and the little boy

• J March 25, 2011 (8:11 pm)

  Left turns are very problematic, both for drivers and for pedestrians. The cognitive load on a left-turning driver is extremely high–human brains are just not safe operators of motor vehicles:
  http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/00674.pdf

  It’s all very well to say we must all, drivers and pedestrians, be careful. Sure, we should. But our fallible brains being what they are, a more useful question might be, what can we do to make getting around safer?

• Genesee Hill March 25, 2011 (8:34 pm)

  J;

  If your brain cannot handle driving, do not drive.

  If you cannot look all ways and ensure there is nothing in your path, do not drive.

  If you want to talk on a cell phone while driving, put on make up while driving, or do anything other than operating the motor vehicle: don’t drive.

  If you wish to drink alcohol, smoke pot, or take benzodiazepines while driving, do not drive.

  If this is too hard for you to comprehend, do not operate a motor vehicle.

  Many people “get this”. Some do not. If you are in the latter camp, do not drive. If you choose to do otherwise, suffer the consequences. If taking a left or right turn is beyond your cognitive powers, do not drive. Quite simple, really.

• guy March 25, 2011 (8:38 pm)

  So tired of idiot drivers. They just don’t pay attention. Pedestrians and cyclists are the last thing on their mind. Slow down and look around please. Get off your phone too!

• WSGuy March 25, 2011 (9:10 pm)

  I have to agree with a few previous posters that defensive walking is imperative when walking with a child. I have had 4 nannies over the years and have gone on 2-3 walks with all of them during their first 2 “training days” and instructed them on defensively crossing the road. I specifically address checking for oncoming traffic, left turners, and right turners before crossing the road. I have to also agree that hitting someone crossing in the walk involves carelessly operating your vehicle in a way that deserves some WSB criticism from fellow neighbors. Some criticism now could result in a life saved down the road. The driver probably feels terrible, but they should feel terrible since they drove their car into two people while somehow looking somewhere else. That is a very very bad thing to have done.

• bridge to somewhere March 25, 2011 (9:23 pm)

  I would like to meet the driver who after a decade or more driving hasn’t made a mistake or bad judgment call or were ever distracted just long enough to accidently veer into another lane or almost pull out in front of a car or the like. Sure, those don’t usually end in injury, but it is a ridiculous thing to imply that there are no accidents in which people get hurt. Get off the high horse. Good, smart people DO have accidents occassionally. After all, this fact is why the word “accident” exists.

• John March 25, 2011 (9:25 pm)

  Dlc – calling me and Pablo careless for not “taking responsibility for ourselves when we cross the street” is not only not applicable to the situation at hand (the driver didn’t yield…nobody ran in front of a car) but also an utterly bizarre leap into the nether regions of logic. We didn’t get hit by cars…this has nothing to do with how we cross the street. For the record I do drive and unless there is a mechanical failure with my car or a pedestrian runs across the street in a high speed zone like a freeway, where the mere physics of the situation prevent me from having control of the outcome, then I WILL NEVER hit a pedestrian…and yes, I can say that with the utmost confidence and accuracy because I am a responsible driver who takes every precaution necessary to ensure I don’t hit a pedestrian. It’s called being attentive and alert. If I cannot do this I don’t deserve to operate a vehicle. Given your flippant attitude toward smashing automobiles into humans, I don’t think you should be allowed behind the wheel. If driving a car is a game to you, move to Tennessee and be a NASCAR driver. Don’t endanger the lives of pedestrians because you can’t take driving seriously.

• GAG March 25, 2011 (9:35 pm)

  enough enough enough enough enough enough enough
  enough let it go let it go let it go let it go be nice be

• Genesee Hill March 25, 2011 (9:49 pm)

  GAG;

  Drive safe, drive safe, drive safe, drive safe.

  And then be nice.

• Nice Person March 25, 2011 (9:52 pm)

  Those who have always paid 100% attention while driving and NEVER been distracted while driving have a right to comment here. I can honestly say that is not me. I was not there when this happened… And the police have found for the pedestrians so they will be cared for (which may not address all that the nanny needs)… But no one is thinking of the horror that the driver is facing. I almost hit a 16 yr old boy about a year ago, who was wearing all black and walked in front of me on Californa not at or near a crosswalk in the darkness. I was paying attention and it is the only reason he was not killed. I will NEVER EVER forget that and he was not even injured. If I were the driver in this case the emotional damage may also rest with them for the rest of their life. You must be more callas than I to wag your finger at someone and a situation without having been there. I am glad you are so perfect.

• JN March 25, 2011 (10:00 pm)

  According to the defenders of the motorist, I should be able to swing a machete around in circles walking down the road, and woe betide any pedestrian who gets sliced, for they should have been paying better attention.

• bridge to somewhere March 25, 2011 (10:09 pm)

  JN, poor analogy. But it’s good to know you’ve never made a mistake driving. You rock!

• bridge to somewhere March 25, 2011 (10:16 pm)

  Ps if the police thought the driver was being reckless or did this deliberately, she probably would have been arrested. But the police just gave her a minor citation. So perhaps the folks who want to pillory this woman as a reckless person should also accuse the police as being part of some kind of cover-up.

• TMQ March 25, 2011 (10:19 pm)

  Sorry guys, I left my parents’ basement for a bit, but now I’m back. What did I miss?

• Alvis March 25, 2011 (11:14 pm)

  In the pre-cable days, when all TV stations were legally required to run public service commercials, there was a series of PSA spots about defensive driving and walking. They featured people outraged after serious collisions where someone else was at fault. The tag line after each spot was “Yes, you were in the right. Dead right!”
  A few of the repeat commenters here could stand to heed that unpleasant reality instead of whining and grandstanding about their rights or sense of rights superseding all other factors in the collision. Grow up and count your blessings.

• Pablo Loco March 25, 2011 (11:36 pm)

  Hey nice person- check the other thread and you will see that there are many others that are thinking of the horror that the driver is facing. And although I also sympathize with that. I just can’t wrap my mind around the idea that this was just an “oops” moment. I myself have made that same left turn ( even in the sun )many times and “chose” to yield for the pedestrions crossing the street, heck come to think of it when the highschool let’s out , most the kids walk against the red and even though I have the green I “choose” to yield for them. I never thought I was perfect but according to you I guess I am, never had a ticket or an accident

• Born To Be Mild March 26, 2011 (1:30 am)

  Well, I was going to let it go, but I’d like to comment on John’s post about about being attentive and alert. I’m in agreement. And if the laws of physics are used against me, I understand that defense. I don’t give you a pass on mechanical failure if you have failed to maintain your vehicle. I’ve mentioned this before, but when I was in a car that barely struck a child, if we had stopped 1 foot shorter, we wouldn’t have touched her. Good tires and brakes would have saved that child a bump on the forehead.

• Caprial March 26, 2011 (6:47 am)

  This diatribe is bothering me. I was at the accident, I did see it happen. It was an accident pure and simple. The driver of the car did exactly as she should have, considering the situation. She stayed, and she was tore up. She wanted to help, but knew her place. The nanny was coherent and worried about the boy and the driver. It was a bright day, that is a hard corner. The driver was slowly taking a right turn (not a left turn as was mentioned previous). The situation was handled brilliantly by the police, professionally. One thing to be grateful for in a horrible situation….the driver was being responsible by not just leaving and she’s insured. Nothing said on here about the driver is going to be any worse than what she’s telling herself. She has remorse and is being responsible. In an accident, that is all one can do. She doesn’t need to be toasted on here.

• Kayo March 26, 2011 (7:56 am)

  I am so sorry to hear about the severe leg injuries to the nanny. She is a hero for saving him. I have a son exactly the same age as the toddler in this incident and my heart goes out to him and his family. This type of accident can happen in a split second and is my worst nightmare as either a pedestrian or driver. I think we can all learn lessons from this incident. My thoughts are with everyone involved.

• Amy C March 26, 2011 (8:48 am)

  Brooke, Thank you for sharing. The Nanny & child have and will continue to be in my prayers. The driver is also in my prayers. Yes, it was an accident and we should not think that we are all exempt from making mistakes. I was also struck by a vehicle (different intersection) and in a similar situation starting back in November. I have been blessed by wonderful friends as she should be and is needed. I have also been fortunate to come up with resources that have helped a lot after I mentally was able to figured things out. There is a lot to take in when finding out that the way you live your life and activities have been dramatically altered. I have a wonderful PT at Highline PT in West Seattle, a small motorized scooter put a bit of mobility back into place for me and I can probably make available to her when she is ready. I own a company that assists in making homes more accessible and would be happy to be a resource if needed. I will check back with the blog posts if you would like to communicate further. My prayers are for ALL involved.

• MPapaya March 26, 2011 (9:12 am)

  I’ve known the nanny my entire life and she is a fantastic person who loves to run and be outdoors — it’s SO sad she won’t have the use of her leg for such a long period of time and may see serious side effects from this accident for the rest of her life. I think the driver deserves something more permanent on their record seeing as she will forever have the scars from it as well. She was nearly KILLED and she saved a life!

• JN March 26, 2011 (4:34 pm)

  @bridge to somewhere, you are right, I have never once made a mistake while driving. Although I have to say that is because I don’t own a car or a license, partly because I use other methods of transport, and also because I am opposed to the influence cars have upon our society. And while I know that my analogy was taking it pretty far, as someone who has been hit by a car multiple times as a result of the driver not paying attention, I personally still equate someone driving a car to wielding a weapon.

• Pablo Loco March 26, 2011 (4:50 pm)

  @-Caprial “The driver was slowly taking a right turn (not a left turn as was mentioned previous).”
  If that is the case this should have been even more avoidable, unless of course the nanny and child were wearing camoflouge

• Caprial March 26, 2011 (5:04 pm)

  @Pablo (appropriately) Loco; You should check out the corner. But in any case, hindsight is 20/20. Until you can say you witnessed it, or lived a similar incident… Again, it was an accident. One that all parties are suffering from. Glad you’re perfect though.

• Caprial March 26, 2011 (5:05 pm)

  Also, there were alot of people milling about on several corners at that time, on that day. I believe the driver of the car was trying to watch out for all of them, and an accident occured.

• NicePerson March 26, 2011 (7:23 pm)

  Loco — you seem to have no gray in your world. For those that choose to not drive — you are commended, but in a minority. I question if commentors have had passengers in their car that talk to them, do they listen to the radio, do they drink a coffee while driving, do they answer cell calls….. dont cast a stone, if you answer yes to any of those, which can all create distractions. We all need to be careful, drivers particularly so since they are supposed to control their machine… but accidents happen.
  Caprial, you add good points. I dont want to bash the nanny or child as they seem to be innocent bystanders. But the situation seems strange “The nanny was holding the little boy’s hand and picked him up immediately when she saw they were going to get hit and pushed him out of the way.” Loco and others, if the driver was out to plow down pedestrians, the nanny would not have had time to “pick him up”
  My last comment, as I am sure LOCO will live up to the name.

• Caprial March 26, 2011 (10:27 pm)

  Nice Person; Exactly. The funny (wierd) thing about this blog is that people haven’t noticed that, “holding the little boy’s hand, picked him up, then pushed him out of the way”. How could she push him out of the way if she had picked him up. I was there, she never picked him up. Just got him out of the way, as is appropriate and the only thing she could do at the time. This was quick. Like barely time to blink quick. I am so grateful that it wasn’t worse, even though it was bad enough. I feel for all parties, and I am so proud of the medical response and especially the parking enforcement person who was there way before the fire trucks. (She happened to be close and took charge.) Stellar. Those people were in great, great hands.

• Paul March 26, 2011 (11:45 pm)

  of course the driver was not out to plow down pedestrians. Say man is cleaning his gun out in his garage, gun goes off and hits a passerby. He did not intend to shoot this person but he failed to take the correct precautions before he decided to clean his gun, Just like the driver failed to yield

• JoB March 27, 2011 (7:59 am)

  Yes, we should all look both ways and cross with the light whenever possible…

  but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the driver to avoid hitting pedestrians.

  When you enter a “difficult” intersection.. it is your job to be that much more careful.

  if you can’t stop in time to avert this kind of catastrophe.. you are going too fast.

• JoB March 27, 2011 (8:01 am)

  caprial… what does it matter whether she could have pushed the kid out of the way or not? she shouldn’t have had to.

• Caprial March 27, 2011 (12:29 pm)

  JoB; Yup, it was unfortunate that she did have to, and I’m glad she did. Just clarifying facts, that’s all. I feel for both sides.

• Paul March 27, 2011 (6:39 pm)

  Just a quick update for those of you who may be concerned for the driver. We passed eachother while driving on Admiral today, her side mirror is fixed ( hurray! thank the heavens).. Regardless how devistated she must feel it is good to see her get right back in the saddle. All’s well that end”s well.

• MB March 28, 2011 (9:29 am)

  @TMQ, that was the best comment yet! Spot on ;)

  Glad no one was killed…so sorry for the young boy…sad for the lasting effects the nanny now faces…I hope the driver learned something…I hope a lot of us learn something, though somehow I doubt that will happen since everyone is too busy making THEIR point.

  Ok, let the arguing commence…

Sorry, comment time is over.