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Update: Driver hits pedestrian at Delridge/Brandon; police say victim did not survive

November 20, 2014 4:36 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo: Vehicle involved in collision, per police)
4:36 PM: Thanks to everybody who has messaged us about an emergency response at Delridge/Brandon – we’re working to find out more; avoid the area for now.

4:39 PM: This is reported to be a case of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian – a ~40-year-old man, and medics are doing CPR on him right now. Delridge will be closed for hours – the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is on the way to investigate, as they do with all crashes that result in serious injuries or worse. Metro Route 120 is being rerouted, according to a text alert – use stops north of Brandon or south of Juneau. The victim is being taken to Harborview, per SPD.

5:01 PM: We’re at Delridge/Brandon, which is where southbound traffic is being detoured west (and where northbound traffic is being detoured to, coming from south of here). Congested, to say the least, so if you can delay your return home, or find a very alternative way to get around – do it.

(Added: Photo by Alex)
5:20 PM: Police tell us at the scene that they’ve been told the pedestrian did not survive.

6:22 PM: According to a tweet from police, Delridge has reopened.

11:01 PM: No further official information tonight about the victim or the crash circumstances; we’ll be following up tomorrow.

FRIDAY NOTE: We expect to write a separate followup later today, but in the meantime, in case you don’t read the comment section: A DESC spokesperson confirms to WSB that the victim was a Cottage Grove Commons resident. Police have yet to release further information about the crash; a commenter who identifies herself as the victim’s sister says he was in the crosswalk when hit.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: Police have published a short update on SPD Blotter. We noted it earlier in comments but also want to note here, since our full update is still in the works – the two new pieces of information are that the victim was 52 years old, and that he was crossing at the intersection when hit.

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66 Replies to "Update: Driver hits pedestrian at Delridge/Brandon; police say victim did not survive"

  • kayo November 20, 2014 (4:42 pm)

    How awful. I saw the lights and now I hear a helicopter above my house. Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved.

  • wsmom November 20, 2014 (4:46 pm)

    My thoughts are with the victim. I have no specifics on what happened, but this is a horrible intersection with cars racing down Brandon to get the light to turn onto Delridge. There is a preschool and a library right there and I have seen WAY too many near misses.

  • AEL November 20, 2014 (4:54 pm)

    2 helicopters hovering now too

  • Arlene Carter November 20, 2014 (4:54 pm)

    sigalert.com says serious car vs pedestrian accident between Juneau and Brandon on Delridge SW. Traffic blocked in both directions on Delridge.

    • WSB November 20, 2014 (5:05 pm)

      Yes, thanks, that is what we have reported, a driver hit a pedestrian. The helicopters are TV – since it’s after 5 pm, they’ll be up there a while, to be “live” during their newscasts. We are at the scene now – no additional information but we’ll be adding a photo shortly.

  • Tammy November 20, 2014 (5:09 pm)

    Please people when rerouted down a residential 1 lane road please SLOW DOWN. 25th Ave SW is not Delridge, pay attention watch for kids, pets, and stay off your darn phones. Seen many driving while texting. I live on this street and many many drivers acted like it was an extension of Delridge. (I.e 30+ mph)

  • JJ November 20, 2014 (5:13 pm)

    Don’t get on bus 120 from downtown, it took eons to get to Brandon just to turn corner and let riders off, all traffic detouring there. It’s a gridlock mess.

  • NW November 20, 2014 (5:17 pm)

    I hope both individuals involved are going to be ok I was just out driving this afternoon and this time of day from 3:30pm on this time of year with moisture reflecting car lights, cars driving with no lights and pedestrians inconspicuous it is to say the least dangerous. Please be careful out there I have begun years back walking with a flash light so I can be seen by others. Take Care

  • carole November 20, 2014 (5:18 pm)

    As we head into the longer, darker days, it is harder to see pedestrians and bicyclists. I am trying to be extra careful, but I still see many people out in dark clothing who are nearly invisible crossing the street. Not blaming this victim, just a reminder to everyone to be proactive. If I am on foot in the dark or on poor visibility days I have a small armband that blinks..inexpensive..bought @Seattle Runner.

  • Vincent Dakotah Langley November 20, 2014 (5:24 pm)

    I just read a “tweet” on twitter.com about 2 or 3 minutes ago that said that the pedestrian in this auto vs. pedestrian accident “did not make it”. How unfortunate!

  • Andi November 20, 2014 (5:37 pm)

    My heart goes out to the loved ones of the pedestrian and driver. So sad. Be vigilant out on the roads, people! We like our West Seattleites hale and healthy!

  • Concerned Neighbor November 20, 2014 (5:38 pm)

    Does anyone know if this is a resident from the DESC? I know the neighborhood has had a lot of problems with them crossing in the middle of the block. My heart goes out to the family, how sad.

    • WSB November 20, 2014 (6:03 pm)

      I don’t know if this is still the case, but in the early going there was much discussion of the fact they couldn’t find any ID on the man.

  • kayo November 20, 2014 (6:15 pm)

    I heard via the North Delridge FB page that this was a DESC resident. Very sad for all involved.

  • WSMom November 20, 2014 (6:37 pm)

    I have been in the area and see lots of people jaywalking near the DESC building. Such a terrible thing to happen. I’m thinking of this person’s family.

  • S. Cole November 20, 2014 (7:07 pm)

    Im so sorry to hear this. Seattle is one of the darkest cities I have ever lived in. I’m not sure if it’s the lack of brightness of the lights or the distance between them but with the day light shorter I’m always a bit surprised as I am driving and I suddenly come up on folks are crossing.

    As a pedestrian, please remember, especially this time of year and in the rain, drivers can’t easily see you. Please don’t wear black or dark clothes and please be very alert as you are crossing.

  • westseattledood November 20, 2014 (7:10 pm)

    I drove past the housing just this afternoon and saw an ambulance and fire truck there hours before this tragedy.

    I have stopped right along those two blocks for pedestrians crossing away from the crosswalk a few times.

    I enjoy the great restaurants on that block frequently but wonder how often this type of activity occurs?!

    Everybody really needs to slow down and keep their eyes peeled all of the time. Very sad.

  • Tbone November 20, 2014 (7:45 pm)

    Very sad… I am a frequent pedestrian and walk for pleasure and exercise along many of these heavily travelled streets. West Seattle is a beautiful place to wander and I am thankful I’ve never had anything but good fortune and 99.99% of the time courteous and alert drivers. I make it a point to establish eye contact and never assume that people know I am about to enter a crosswalk… I drive too, and have had many pedestrians jump off curbs with little regard for vehicles, mirrors, the knowledge that they may not be visible immediately… I don’t really have a point, other than it is a very sad thing when events like this happen and I am thankful Ive never been involved in one, both as a pedestrian and as a driver… Be safe, love each other and keep an eye out for each other.

  • Leeann November 20, 2014 (8:21 pm)

    Around 6 pm today, while officers were still out investigating, I watched a resident of the DESC building cross mid-block from the Shell Station to the DESC facility. Thankfully, he waiting until a break in the traffic and didn’t endanger himself or any passing cars.

  • I. Ponder November 20, 2014 (8:30 pm)

    Several comments already suggesting jaywalking and darkness. For whose benefit are you suggesting this? It gives a blanket excuse for all the careless driving that’s considered the norm. Regardless of the actual cause, we all know that many drivers do not drive with care and think nothing of driving distracted. This tragedy is evidence of what can happen when things go wrong and how quickly a life can disappear. There is no good reason why a pedestrian crossing the street should be killed. Jaywalking or not. It’s not jaywalking when a pedestrian crosses at a corner. It’s rare that drivers will yield to a pedestrian trying to cross legally at a corner or even a marked crosswalk. As a society we’ve sacrificed too much of our safety and livability to the illusion of a speedy car commute. Slower speeds are proven to lessen fatality rates when there is a collision between car and pedestrian.

  • KB November 20, 2014 (8:31 pm)

    Very sad :/
    People need to slow down! I live on 30th and Juneau and people use it as a short cut from 35th to Deleidge. I’ve seen people’s pets hit, even a bicyclist. Follow the speed limit and pay attention. Accidents like these are easily avoidable.

  • G November 20, 2014 (8:41 pm)

    Hey I Ponder,

    This is not screed against pedestrians (I walk a lot), it’s a call to use judgement in a dark, rainy, unlit city. Even at low speed, you literally cannot see some pedestrians until you’re literally on top of them this time of the year. Most of the time I’m harping on drivers, but in this case, it’s the pedestrian who needs to exercise caution as well.

  • Grum November 20, 2014 (8:43 pm)

    I saw this accident happen. I was on the 120. Unfortunately the man was Jwalking when he was struck by the van carrying 2 women. The woman seemed extremely distraught and did not appear to be under the influence of any substances. I feel so bad for her, her passenger, and of course the man who was killed. I can’t help but wonder if he was crossing to get on the bus..

  • Emily November 20, 2014 (9:15 pm)

    DRIVE SLOWER. It is not that hard to understand. If you are driving too fast to brake for a pedestrian, you are driving too fast for the city. Return to the suburbs until you are prepared to drive properly. I’m sorry if my anger sounds disrespectful to the victim but the drivers of this town are simply out of control.

  • NAL November 20, 2014 (9:15 pm)

    Truly very sad for everything that has happened. I live right up on the steep hill on 30th and heard the commotion. Love to the families involved. Awareness is the key. Driving slower, being more cautious, taking your time, crossing at the cross walks, looking around as a walker and a checking blind spots as a driver. My dog was hit by car on 30th trying to gun it as fast as they could up on the hill, and we thought we almost lost him. It was my fault for letting him get away, the raccoon’s had scattered someones trash everywhere. Needless to say, I am much more aware and more cautious than before.

  • Been There November 20, 2014 (9:31 pm)

    At 9:20PM and on my way home from work I drove through this exact area of Delridge Way and Brandon and encountered four people jaywalking as I proceeded through. One solo male ran out into traffic to cross Delridge Way. He had a traffic signal and marked crosswalk less than 100 feet away from him. The group of three had the same signal and crosswalk available to them at about the same 100′ distance. They all made poor decisions.

  • LWC November 20, 2014 (9:53 pm)

    Just a clarification to some of the above comments: it is not “jaywalking”, even if the pedestrian crossed Delridge mid-block south of Brandon. The next intersection (Findlay) is unsignalized, meaning that according to RCW 46.61.240, pedestrians may legally cross the street mid-block (though they are required to yield to automobile traffic).

  • Moose November 20, 2014 (10:10 pm)

    This is tragic and my heart breaks for the drive and her kids that had to witness this also for the person killed. I was at a Delridge neighborhood meeting and the manager from DESC addressed the jaywalking as a problem they are working on it. Many of their clients are mentally ill and make decisions that ‘we’ may not. Also – west Seattle monthly crime meetings have said that they’re focusing on delridges bad drivers. It was brought up again just this past Tuesday. So many of these comments maybe valid but not directed to the right place. I have found the police very responsive when a complaint or concern is voiced. This was a tragic accident. Remember the definition of accident.

  • Cait November 20, 2014 (10:15 pm)

    We just moved out of that area and I have nearly hit people as they dart out in front of traffic to cross to the Super 24 – and I can tell you with certainty I am driving under the speed limit. They either need to put in a marked crosswalk there and light the area or encourage folks to go to the crosswalk because it was only a matter of time until something like this happened. Very sad.

  • Kathy November 20, 2014 (10:33 pm)

    If Seattle is serious about reducing pedestrian fatalities, they will drop the speed limit in the city to 25 MPH like they did in NYC. The two most recent pedestrian fatalities in West Seattle were on 35th Ave SW and Delridge Way, where the speed limit is 35 MPH.

  • Mel November 20, 2014 (11:33 pm)

    The accident actually happened right in front of me. The man was jaywalking slowly and erratically across Delridge at the intersection with Brandon. There is a traffic light there, he was jaywalking against the light. He drew my attention – he seemed either vision-impaired or under the influence.
    .
    Northbound traffic had stopped to let him (try to) pass, but the driver of the southbound van obviously didn’t see him at all. People shouted but it wasn’t going to help. Including the 120 bus stopped at the corner, about 30-40 people had to have witnessed the accident.
    .
    I really hope all the kids from the daycare were gone for the day – they likely see plenty of “the world” after the DESC opened half a block away from them – the accident was horrific.
    .
    To the preachers above, lower speed limits won’t stop people from running/walking out in front of traffic. Boulevards and more crosswalks aren’t the panacea. Delridge had a “road diet” years ago, it actually usually moves at under the posted speed limit. The only thing that will really prevent this is PAYING ATTENTION and BEING COGNIZANT OF WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND YOU, both as a pedestrian and as a driver. That’s it.

  • rt November 20, 2014 (11:39 pm)

    LWC – wouldn’t the fact that someone was hit mean that the individual did not yeild the right-of-way to the vehicular traffic, thus jaywalk?

  • leisha November 21, 2014 (1:52 am)

    Thoughts go out to the family for their loss.
    Delridge Way is a crazy street and very unfriendly to people crossing. Just blocks away- at a very busy intersection of SW Hudson the metro and school busses drop off but no crosswalks are near AND cars do not stop or slow down. When will the city do something to make it safer?!

  • Art Critic November 21, 2014 (3:01 am)

    We are devastated by the news, and especially that it was a resident of the DESC. And the life of the driver that is forever changed.
    If someone is hit by a car at 40 mph they are 90% likely to be killed.
    If someone is hit by a car at 30 mph they are 50% likely to be killed.
    If someone is hit by a car at 20 mph they are 10% likely to be killed.
    Every 10 mph doubles the momentum and force of impact.
    When I am driving in an area of high pedestrian use I take the physics into consideration and pay attention and slow down. Our thoughts go out to the families. Be safe out there.

  • Rick November 21, 2014 (5:42 am)

    I seem to recall something about not playing on freeways. Before ya’ll bring out the torches and pitchforks I know Delridge is not a freeway and both drivers and peds(and jaywalkers) can be careless but laws of nature always trump laws of man. Just imagine “jaydriving”! You know,just using the roads as “suggestions” as where to operate your vehicles. We all need to exercise our personal responsibilities. “But I had the right of way” won’t save your life.

  • JRH November 21, 2014 (6:07 am)

    This is very sad. I live very close to this corner and now that DESC is there this has become a place where people constantly just wander across the street. I am a driver who tries to go the speed limit or less and there is always a car on my tail. I would love to stop and have had near misses with pedestrians and cars. When people just wander across the street here, I usually have a car directly behind me. Cars are going too fast and people are being very careless in this block often wandering across to the library, busstop or whatever. Yes there is also a daycare too. Please use the crosswalk it is just the safe thing to do. This is very sad and I hope everyone can be a little more careful to keep this neighborhood as a place where people can be safe, walking and driving.

  • LWC November 21, 2014 (6:47 am)

    Rt – I can’t tell you whether he was jaywalking or not – I wasn’t there and there’s not yet been an official statement that I’m aware of. What I do know for certain is that many of the actions labeled ‘jaywalking’ by commenters in this thread are, in fact, legal acts. There’s a lot of misinformation among licensed drivers out there…

  • jrh November 21, 2014 (7:19 am)

    If we need to get into a legal discussion about jaywalking then maybe we need to change the law. There is also a law of nature I think about steel hitting a body that can’t be undone here. Also I think there is once about how long it takes to stop a big vehicle at 35 miles per hour. I tried to stop on a raining day and skidded about 10 feet before I stopped (I was only going 20 MPH by the bridge). I have good tires. I hate to see all of the animals that lose their lives across Delridge too and very tragic whoever this was. For the person who got hit and the people driving. I saw a little girl get hit on 11th and Henderson 50 years ago and still remember it. She flew into the air and died. I cross where it is safe. I work by Key Arena and the cars actually speed up there when you try to cross even at crosswalks. Also maybe a little education in this area on safety since it is getting very busy and Delridge has become a freeway.

  • AG November 21, 2014 (7:55 am)

    All the back and forth about whether there was jaywalking or not really loses the point that a person died. A human being who likely has a family and friends who love him are now planning a funeral just before the holidays.
    .
    I agree with the person above who stated that Seattle is one of the most poorly lit cities in which I’ve ever driven, and I’ve driven in a lot of big cities and small towns in all weather conditions. Our grey drizzle makes it worse, but the lighting is horrendous. There are sections of Delridge, 35th, and all other streets that are as dark as if there were no lighting at all. My own street is pitch black at night. The streetlights do almost nothing.
    .
    If we’re serious about safety of human beings in this city, be they on foot, on wheels, or otherwise, we desperately need to get some lighting improvements.

  • wseattlefam November 21, 2014 (7:55 am)

    I have lived in this community for 40 + years. I am so saddened by this senseless accident.
    The facts of the situation are the DESC building should have not been built at this location in the first place period. This community is very sensitive to the plight of the mentally ill and the folks with substance abuse issues. The issue is there are not the proper support services for the DESC residents in this area. The residents of the north delridge neighborhood are continually complaining about the residents of the DESC walking right out in front of vehicles in that block of Delridge Way. There have been many near misses.
    I am so sorry the City of Seattle’s Human Services Dept did not do due diligence in selecting a safer site for these folks to reside in.
    A street with slower speeds as well as mental health services would have been a much better choice when considering building this facility.
    An example would be SW Holden St……
    If by chance you happen to stop at one of the three small stores in this area and ask them how the facility has impacted their business. They will tell you the place has been great for their business, they are selling much more alcohol.
    The DESC folks have been working on the jaywalking issue for the last year nothing has changed and I am not sure how they are going to manage this. They have not been at all successful thus far.
    I am truly sorry for the driver of the vehicle as well as the passengers in the vehicle. What a life changing event for them. My heart goes out to the plight of the residents of the DESC and I am sorry for the loss.

    I really believe the bottom line here is a better job should be done by the City of Seattle when considering site selection for these facilities, the safety of the underprivileged, mentally ill folks should be considered first. I am not so sure that was done in this case.

    • WSB November 21, 2014 (8:08 am)

      Two things:
      .
      #1 – While I have no reason to doubt the person who posted it, I don’t have any official confirmation that the victim was a DESC resident. My followup work with them, police, etc., begins shortly, now that people are arriving in their offices for the day. Also, the walking-between-intersections claim does not have official substantiation, either. (And it may not for a long time … TCIS investigations often take months for official findings and there is never any notification when a report is done … we just have to keep asking.)
      .
      #2 – Since no one else has said it yet … the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is the community council for this area, and in any area, the community council is your best focal point to get involved and campaign for safety improvements … NDNC meets second Mondays, 6:30 pm at Youngstown, http://ndnc.org – note that our report on the most recent meeting included concerns about Delridge safety and the precinct commander’s hopes of an “emphasis patrol” – https://westseattleblog.com/2014/11/policing-plan-reviewed-with-precinct-commander-north-delridge-neighborhood-council – And of course there’s the West Seattle Transportation Coalition – http://westseattletc.org – organized action has been making a difference more than ever lately, launching projects on Roxbury and 35th, for example.
      .
      TR

  • mama4 November 21, 2014 (8:02 am)

    My condolences to the family and friends. I am sure he was loved and will be missed.

    I’m at this intersection 4 + times a day – and had just left from picking up my little dude from SWEL preschool right on the corner. I also have big kids at STEM down the street.

    We had just left before the incident happened (4) and the last class had let out at 4:15, so I hope that no kids saw the horror of a person really, really hurt.

    Not a single day goes by that I drive here that I don’t witness a near miss. There is a crosswalk and a light, but pedestrians daily walk in the middle of Delridge. The facility is well aware of the situation. I’ve talked with them personally about my concerns for residents and they educate residents and encourage safe crossings.

    Parents at school also cross Delridge (where there is NOT a crosswalk) which the PTA and school have strongly encouraged parents not to do for this very reason.

    Traffic on Delridge moves above the speed limit, often – even with school lights, people in crosswalks waiting.. It’s a major arterial and traffic moves as such.

    In my opinion, it’s not the pedestrians fault or the driver. It’s just a truly horrible mix of events. We don’t need to assign blame or find the most at fault.
    Slow down, pay attention.
    Cross in a marked crosswalk and be aware of the cars.

    Please be safe out there.

  • Michelle November 21, 2014 (9:27 am)

    WestSeattleFam makes excellent points! Many in this community were not against the DESC because of who it serves. We all understand the need. We were against it for the simple fact that the DESC location is too isolated from what residents really need. There are no nearby services or amenities to help residents transition towards self-support. No grocery stores. No mental health services. No medical services. And a single bus route already filled to the max.
    .
    I pass by DESC on a regular basis and am frequently stopping for residents. What disturbs me the most is that even during daylight hours, some jet across the street in an unpredictable manner and pace.
    .
    Please know I am not blaming the person who was killed. I am, however, agreeing with WSF in saying that even a quick analysis of this site would have shown City leaders that it could lead to a tragedy like this. Since the DESC has already been built, the only step the City can take is to try to properly protect the residents with traffic safety measures. Any improvements won’t eliminate risk but at this point, something has to be done!

  • sam-c November 21, 2014 (9:55 am)

    Emily- How do you know what speed the driver was going?

    I don’t.

    I’ve read some the witness accounts about the pedestrian crossing the street erratically, but ultimately, the SPD TCIS investigates this. So sorry for all affected by this tragedy.

    • WSB November 21, 2014 (10:11 am)

      Semi-update: We are as promised following up this morning on various fronts. I have already made phone calls and sent e-mails. For starters, SPD media relations so far has less info than we do from our on-scene report but is working to get it in hopes of an update.

  • Mel November 21, 2014 (9:59 am)

    There need be no “back and forth” about “whether there was jaywalking.”
    .
    The man was walking against a red light. The car that struck him had a green light.
    .
    There is no evidence yet that the driver was speeding. As I’ve said before, I drive that street every day, and rarely does rush hour traffic exceed the posted speed limit.
    .
    Likewise, this was a signaled intersection. All the wasted space on “calming” that “crazy area” seems to imply little but that the author(s) are ignorant of that fact. A signal is about as strict as traffic control gets.
    .
    Just a bit exasperated that after a tragic event that could have been averted by either party simply being cognizant of their surroundings, the cry is “Big Brother is not doing enough to protect us from ourselves.”

  • I. Ponder November 21, 2014 (10:02 am)

    Here’s a link to a chart showing correlation between auto speed and pedestrian fatality rate:

    http://www.raincitycycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Speed-Hump-Report-300×195.png

    Here’s a more in depth fact sheet with an additional data point — of those hit, how many are injured, how many have no injuries.

    http://www.ite.org/css/FactSheet9.pdf

  • iggy November 21, 2014 (10:04 am)

    Agree with Michelle and wseattlefam. It really seems that DESC and City need to do more. A permanent crossing guard midblock? A marked crosswalk with lights? DESC needs to step up its insistence that residents cross at the corner. It should be part of the requirement for living there. The City should probably do a traffic study and track speeds and amount of traffic and then seriously put Delridge on a road diet by adding additional marked crosswalks. It’s not just a DESC problem there. People are routinely speeding and people, including non-DESC folks, are routinely crossing midblock to get to library, bus, convenience store.

  • Jeffrey Robert November 21, 2014 (10:33 am)

    This is tragic and my sympathy to all concerned.

    I do not want my comments to diminish in any way from the loss of this man’s life. I live very close to where this happened. I had just circled the block, had just gone through that intersection as I was stopping at the library on my way home. When I came out, my car parked close to where it happened, I saw that a vehicle was stopped, that a body was in the street and someone else was standing near or over the body saying something. It was a horrifying site. Since a crowd had already started to gather, I didn’t go to see what had happened, but did see the cars backed up in both directions (some honking their horns because no one was moving). I could hear emergency vehicles coming from both directions do stood outside my van and watched from a short distance. It was just a horrible scene.

    At that time of night, it seems impossible to “speed” on Delridge. It is close to bumper to bumper already. Night is coming early and it gets difficult to see – most of us are coming home from work and are tired and just wanting to get off the road, but I don’t see a lot of speeding. Some reckless driving for sure, but not speeding at that time of night.

    My husband and I were both in favor of DESC moving in. We still are glad they found a home. That said, the number of folks wandering into the street has increased tenfold. We’ve had to slam on our breaks countless times since DESC has been opened. There are still the other folks that wander around – the teenagers, the drug dealers, the ones who aren’t paying attention for whatever reason. I’m not pointing figures or placing blame. I’m saying that the folks who are wandering into the street are increasing and it is getting much more difficult to drive in the area. I don’t know what the answer is, but I know it is a problem. I do not think this will be the last death from a pedestrian/auto accident.

    The children are always accompanied by adults who are watching out for their safety. I’m not as concerned with them. The adults I’ve seen go out of their way to make sure the children are safe when they take them out.

    But something has to happen.

  • John November 21, 2014 (10:56 am)

    Whether or not the victim of this tragic accident was a DESC resident, the ensuing anti-DESC posts raise a question.
    –
    If the mini-mart, noodle shop, pizza restaurant, upholstery shop, library, school and daycare also have people crossing against the light or jay-walking, are they located in the wrong area?
    Should they be relocated to a non commercial zone like Holden as a critic suggests for DESC?

  • evergreen November 21, 2014 (12:01 pm)

    No one was to blame here, from the sound of it. Just an unfortunate accident. The woman who struck the man will likely feel traumatized for a long time, if not for life. I hope she forgives herself, it could have happened to any of us.

  • pedestrian_sister November 21, 2014 (12:24 pm)

    My brother who died was in the crosswalk. The driver said she had the green light. My brother has a hard time walking and maybe didn’t have enough time to cross and he is partially blind. I understand he was going home to his apt. It’s a sad day for us. His birthday was the 15th.

    • WSB November 21, 2014 (12:51 pm)

      Pedestrian_sister, we are so sorry about your brother. DESC just confirmed to us that he indeed lived at Cottage Grove Commons. If there is anything additional you can tell us, you are also welcome to e-mail me (WSB editor Tracy Record) at editor@westseattleblog.com – I will be writing a separate update this afternoon as we continue to collect more information – TR

  • Mel November 21, 2014 (1:10 pm)

    So sorry to the man’s sister – as horrible as this accident was to witness right in front of me, losing family to it is immeasurably worse.
    .
    He was less than halfway across heading West, and the red pedestrian stop light had been stale for at least 10-15 seconds, maybe more, when I came to the intersection (because the light in my direction was red the entire time I approached from the cross street). He was moving very slowly – which may have made him harder for the driver to see – as he continued into the southbound lane.
    .
    It’s simply a sad accident – nothing the City could have done to prevent it, short of closing the street altogether.

  • westseattledood November 21, 2014 (2:09 pm)

    condolences and god speed to his family who has posted here and to his Delridge neighbors.

    i think iggy’s post has the beginning of an idea to explore….crossing guards. this population needs to be protected, as best as can be mustered given the complexity of the situation. but it needn’t be *only* city or DESC solutions. Crossing guard volunteer shifts could be a really, really good idea on many levels. Ponder it, neighbors.

  • Desi November 21, 2014 (2:32 pm)

    I work on Delridge, am not mentally-ill, and do not drink alcohol but I was almost hit by a car while walking in the crosswalk. Not only was I walking, supposedly safe, in the crosswalk, I was almost completely across the street when the careless driver started to pull off from her ‘parked’ position in front of the Super 24.

    Most drivers on Delridge pay absolutely no attention to the crosswalk and pedestrians standing there (or walking) ready to cross. Most drivers drive way too fast consistently throughout the day. The DESC building has nothing to do with this problem.

  • Jeffrey Robert November 21, 2014 (4:27 pm)

    To the sister of the man who was killed – I am very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine how difficult this time must be for you.
    –
    John said:
    –
    “If the mini-mart, noodle shop, pizza restaurant, upholstery shop, library, school and daycare also have people crossing against the light or jay-walking, are they located in the wrong area?”
    –
    I’m not anti-DESC. I’m pro-DESC. I don’t want this to happen again. Most of the folks who are going to get pizza or to the library or those other places (and again, the ones from the daycare are WELL attended to and kept safe) appear to be much more aware of their surroundings and/or seem much quicker in their ability to be able to respond to an on-coming vehicle. As I stated above, the increase seems tenfold to me. I really can’t compare the folks getting library books and Pho to the ones who seem confused or disabled or barely ambulatory who often are hidden by darkness or traffic to even an alert and aware driver. I want these folks to be safe. I am not anti-DESC. There has been a difference in the pedestrian life in the neighborhood since DESC opened compared to when Pho Aroma (which needs more parking by the way) opened.

    Crossing guards, fences or rails, better lights, speed bumps – I don’t know what the answer is. I just want a conversation that isn’t pitting pro and anti-DESC folks. I live in this area. I’m concerned about everyone.

    • WSB November 21, 2014 (4:40 pm)

      SPD has a short update up now which we’ll use in general update soon. 2 bits of info in it: The victim was 52. And he was crossing at the intersection.

  • Renee DeMartin November 21, 2014 (5:51 pm)

    I live on Delridge and walk my dog slowly with a cane, due to hip osteoarthritis…..soon to have surgery in December.
    Drivers on and around Delridge are insane. It’s reached a point for me where I am terrified to cross any side street off
    Delridge, even at a light. The “walk” times are over before
    I can make it across. Drivers rarely stop even if they see you attempting to cross a side street. The 20mph zone on Genesee and 26th with the crosswalk lines is a hazard, since many drivers do not slow down to 20….they just shoot up the hill going east on Genesee and you cannot see them coming.
    I wish the cops would put a speed trap nearby and ticket drivers going ridiculous speeds over the 20mph limit.
    That being said, as a driver I know it is very hard to see pedestrians especially at night, or if you are blinded by the sun, etc., which is why it is especially important to follow speed limits.

  • Another Local Resident November 22, 2014 (8:57 am)

    1. I don’t believe the intersection at Brandon/Delridge has an audible walk signal. Perhaps that could be added to assist more folks with vision issues like the man who was hit.

    2. The problem of folks in the street between Brandon and Findlay is real and serious.

    However, I’d like to note that I’ve started seeing both:
    a) More drivers stopping for the crosswalk, and
    b) More pedestrians using the crosswalk.
    I am hopeful it is slowly improving, the current incident notwithstanding of course.

    3. I estimate I’ve driven up and down Delridge 7200 times in the past 5 years, at all times of day. I have seen someone use the middle lane for passing 3 times.

    Every now and then, late at night with no traffic, I see someone with excessive speed. However, the majority of the time, traffic isn’t even going the speed limit. Most folks seem to drive it at about 30 mph, some more slowly.

    I seriously don’t think Delridge needs a “road diet” or speed bumps or any of that. If nothing else, our potholes and craptastic sinking asphalt keeps anybody from going very fast :/

    4. Crossing guard doesn’t seem realistic to me (who’s going to pay for that?), but I think having pedestrian-activated flashy lights at the Findlay crosswalk could be a great help.

    I know this block of Delridge and further, this incident, has been a reminder to me to be extra-diligent in my attention while driving, and that unexpected things can and do appear.

    My condolences to all involved.

  • Vincent Dakotah Langley November 22, 2014 (10:15 am)

    THE LAST THING that visually-impaired/blind people need to be able to cross a street safely is an audible device that everybody thinks is supposed to alert them, as to when to cross a street! This, in itself, is a HUGE, HUGE myth. In the situation of trying, anyway, to safely cross a street, visually-impaired/blind people NEED TO BE ABLE TO HEAR THE MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC COMING AND/OR GOING BACK AND FORTH ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF THEM, THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CROSS, ON FOOT. An audible device causes it so that visually-impaired/blind people simply CANNOT hear the motor vehicle traffic out there on the street, AT ALL!!! And so, then, it becomes REALLY VERY DANGEROUS for them to be able to safely get across the street! WHOEVER thought of those audible devices that are used for this purpose, meaning well, anyway, GOT THIS ALL WRONG!!! I know this because I have been around visually-impaired/blind people for most-all of my life and my long-time room-mate (31 years now) is a blind person. THANK YOU ALL for “hearing me out” in this! My long-time room-mate and I certainly do very much appreciate it — ESPECIALLY her, as a visually-impaired/blind person!!!

  • community member November 22, 2014 (3:10 pm)

    My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and to the community of which we are all a part.
    .
    Several comments have expressed some level of relief that the accident wasn’t witnessed by the local school children or day car children. Why? Of course witnessing a death is disturbing, but no child is harmed by actually understanding why Mama wants to hold hands crossing the street, or why you look both ways before crossing, or by understanding that there is a very real reason for adults to be careful driving.
    .
    I think the local kids SHOULD know what happened, and should be allowed to grieve the loss of a valued member of the community, even though he was a stranger.

  • Sera November 22, 2014 (3:42 pm)

    Comment by community member — 3:10 pm

    I am honestly sorry that you feel that this accident somehow should have been an abject lesson for preschool children; that seeing a man lie dead in the road is somehow a good lesson for little ones.

    I was there. I was the first person and one of two people that attempted to give aid to the gentleman killed before paramedics arrived. I held his hand and spoke to him as he was dying AND YES I am a parent of one of the children that attends the school in question.

    In NO WAY is it appropriate to let small children see something like this. My guess is that you were not there otherwise your opinion would be different.

    It is important to allow children to know what death is, but never on the level that this accident demonstrated.

  • My Brother November 23, 2014 (2:41 pm)

    To Sera, he was my brother. My sister and the rest of our family thank you for caring for my brother in his last minutes. From what I know, SPD is still investigating.

  • Sera November 23, 2014 (8:49 pm)

    To: Comment by My Brother
    I am so very sorry for you and your family. I have given my contact info to the editor of this site in case you or your family want to get a hold of me. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

    Sera

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