Reader report: Pedestrian, driver OK after crash in Admiral District

Saw the response at California/Admiral about an hour ago but couldn’t get to it because our crew was checking out something on the other side of the peninsula – so we appreciate this report and photo from Ted Johnson:

Pedestrian car accident … 10:15 AM at the Adm. Junction. Pedestrian [adult male] walked away from this. Officer said he’s lucky to be alive. He just caved in the windshield when he ran across the street and was struck by this vehicle. Driver rather shaken up.

No official details at this point.

JanS October 4, 2013 (11:32 am)

interesting…this is not exactly at the corner, so wonder if the pedestrian was taking a short cut in the middle of the block…not a smart thing to do on Admiral…

WSB October 4, 2013 (11:45 am)

I don’t know – remember that it does take a while for vehicles to stop (as was the case in the Lafayette-vicinity crash recently) – if we can find out anything more later we’ll add it – TR

twobottles October 4, 2013 (11:52 am)

People run across Admiral at that location (Jack in the Box/Heartland Cafe) all the time. I’m surprised that this doesn’t happen more often.

Flower Lab October 4, 2013 (12:45 pm)

He was crossing mid block. Not a safe thing to do on this street.

enough October 4, 2013 (12:57 pm)

I thought this might have been a jaywalking incident but was afraid to say anything as the first comment. I hope the jaywalker was ticketed but maybe he got roughed up enough to learn a lesson. Jaywalking is out of control. Even in the Junction where there is an extra crosswalk (mid block) people still wade through 4 lanes of traffic!
.
And as far as crosswalks go, there was a time, in Seattle, when people only crossed with the light. Sadly, those days are gone. Some people think the law doesn’t apply to them or that they always have thre right of way but that is just not true.
.
Another related rant is people who fling their doors open without looking for cyclists or other vehicles, this too is against the law.

Tony October 4, 2013 (1:27 pm)

Kind of silly to cross mid block on this stretch of admiral anyways, the blocks are about as short as they come here.

Sad October 4, 2013 (2:06 pm)

My good friend had an instance because of a jay walker & he was watching the jay walker to be sure he would not hit him & right at that time car in front stopped suddenly as the guy jumped in front of him. Of course, my friend ended up being faulted, his car ruined as he hit the one in front of him. The jay walker? He has no idea as the person did not stick around. It is also sad to see adults teaching their kids to jaywalk with them as they sprint across the street in the Admiral area. I really wish something could be done but it has been going on for a long time.

am October 4, 2013 (4:14 pm)

We need to remind everyone about proper use of crosswalks too. I constantly tell my kids to WALK and not run, no riding your bike through and ALWAYS try to make eye contact with drivers so you know you are being seen. Make zero assumptions, just because you are in a crosswalk does not give you exclusive rights!!!! Kids need to learn basics.

anonyme October 4, 2013 (4:35 pm)

Another reminder for drivers: a “crosswalk” is defined by the RCW as any two intersecting corners. No sign, light, or street marking is necessary – it’s still a crosswalk. If this was a corner to corner crossing, it was completely legit. Most drivers do not yield in these situations, which is illegal.

I’d also like to comment on the myth of eye contact. Even the DMV touts this practice, which is actually quite difficult. It’s almost impossible to see people through a windshield except at very precise angles, and from quite close-up.

Shannon October 4, 2013 (4:45 pm)

Glad everyone is ok and hopefully it will be a lesson for everyone! I saw the other evening on California a jaywalker meander in front of a line of cars who had a green light, forcing them to stop, and then wait as he stopped and picked up a cigarette (I’m guessing) that he had dropped in the middle of the street… WTF?!

miws October 4, 2013 (5:04 pm)

It’s almost impossible to see people through a windshield except at very precise angles, and from quite close-up.

anonyme, thank you for this.

This is one of those things I had begun to think “was only me” as far as the inability to make eye contact due mostly to windshield glare.

I cross, not what I’d call aggressively, but rather, assertively. I want drivers to see me, and use the body language to let them know of my intent to cross, and that I’m not just hanging out on the corner picking my nose. (Plenty of time for that after I cross. ;-) )

When about to step off the curb, or am already crossing with the WALK light, and looking, looking, looking, around me best I can for anywhere a car may approach from, if, for example, I see one barreling toward me/the crosswalk as if they are going to blow into it (or me) to take their precious right turn on red, I basically glare at them, (stopping if I’m not directly in their path), and make sure they are going to stop.

I can only imagine that my gaze is nearly a “if looks could kill” one. Very often they slow down quickly, and stop or slow to a crawl, well before the crosswalk.

Mike

Seattlite October 4, 2013 (5:39 pm)

RCW 46.61.240 — Jaywalking is not allowed under WA’s RCW 46.61.240. Jaywalkers obstruct traffic flow, put their lives and lives of others in danger. A jaywalker in the big junction flipped me the bird and got very aggressive when I would not stop in the middle of California Ave for him. Also, SPD should stake out the Post Office on California Ave. Several times I’ve seen jaywalking to and from the post office causing near accidents between jaywalkers and cars and between cars and cars (rear ending).

West Seattle Hipster October 4, 2013 (6:31 pm)

Mike states:

“I basically glare at them…..I can only imagine that my gaze is nearly a “if looks could kill” one.”

That’s funny, I do the opposite. I smile at the approaching driver, and not only do they slow down, they usually return the smile or wave.

Spread the love.

twobottles October 5, 2013 (8:25 am)

This morning I was having breakfast at the Heartland Cafe and saw six people cross Admiral mid-block. Three of them, including a father and his pre-teen son had to run across due to oncoming traffic.