UPDATE: Pedestrian hit by driver at north end of Farmers Market

Anne Hurley November 25, 2018 (11:38 am)

I watched this happen. A lady driving an SUV was turning left from California onto Oregon, and apparently didn’t see any of the pedestrians who had the walk sign in the crosswalk. Two men were able to jump out of the way; another was knocked to the ground but only grazed. The one most severely hurt was T-boned by the front of the car, and knocked several feet; he landed on his head right on the street. He seemed to be doing better by the time he was taken by ambulance – he hadn’t been conscious but then woke up and was able to squeeze his hands and speak a little. I noticed he was wearing a wedding ring so I hope the hospital can notify his wife right away. I sure hope he will be all right.

Isaac November 25, 2018 (12:40 pm)

I was the other person that “managed to jump out of the way”, but only because the driver hit me. The impact managed to make my glasses and beanie fly off of me. The gentleman in the yellow beanie was incredible as he was tending to the injured gentleman until first responders arrived. My left knee is going to be incredibly sore for a while. I refused being transported to the ER, but after talking to my cousin who is an EMT, I’m on my way there for precautionary measures.

Concerned November 25, 2018 (11:48 am)

Is there any indication of how this happened? If memory serves, the transport by medic suggests this man may have been seriously injured, yes?Also wondering if you know the approximate age of the injured man?

WSB November 25, 2018 (12:04 pm)

The fact that – as we just updated – police have cleared the scene, suggests that injuries are NOT believed to be life-threatening. We’ll be following up with SFD.
- Concerned November 25, 2018 (12:05 pm)
  
  Thank you! You folks are the best.

Isaac November 25, 2018 (12:03 pm)

I jumped only after the driver hit me. My left knee had the most impact. It’s definitely sore right now. Seattle first responders are world class. Also, one of the witnesses in a yellow beanie was incredible as he tended to the gentleman who was hit. Bless you, sir

Emily November 26, 2018 (8:48 am)

If you haven’t, you should get it checked out (cray and MRI). I was hit by a car turning right on red about 4 years ago, which damaged my MCL and ACL.

Sillygoose November 25, 2018 (12:05 pm)

This situation is the result of my exact complaint with SDOT. Why arent pedestrian crosswalks on their own signal? And why does SDIT continually take away our turn lanes and passing lane ie:35th Ave, but still no left turn arrow? This city is so behind in all areas of traffic flow options. New Orleans has it down perfectly.

Ryan Packer November 25, 2018 (12:31 pm)

A 2016 report by the Louisiana Inspector General stated that “87 percent of signalized intersections [in New Orleans] lacked pedestrian crossing signals” so it appears that is not true. (Pedestrian crosswalks are generally not on their own signal in Seattle to speed up car traffic)
- Sillygoose November 25, 2018 (2:56 pm)
  
  I was just there in July for a week yraveled all areas of NOLA, and Louisiana and it is absolutely true! The pedestrian curb side waiting areas are raised for safety.
- Sillygoose November 25, 2018 (2:58 pm)
  
  I was there in July for a week walked took public transportation every where. It is absolutely correct the waiting areas are also raised with curbs at crossings to separate vehicles for safety.
Vincent November 25, 2018 (3:01 pm)

It does seem like a huge burden to ask people piloting 3k lbs of steel to look to verify the intersections are clear of human beings at a farmers market before turning.Will someone think of the poor drivers without dedicated turn lights so they can avoid the grief of sending people to the hospital?In addition to a reckless/negligent driving ticket, this person should lose their license. I will be shocked if they even get cited for failure to yield.
- Lisa Alishio November 26, 2018 (9:12 pm)
  
  No same human being wants to hit someone in their car! Error prevention involves looking at the system/situation and making it less likely an error can happen. This has saved MANY lives. Blame and shame might feel good to some..especially when seeking financial reparations, but it doesn’t prevent human error.

Person November 25, 2018 (12:14 pm)

Horrible. Hope the man recovers. That intersection needs a turn light.

B November 25, 2018 (12:37 pm)

2 males were struck one was pushed to the side the other went over the left side of the car denting the hood. The driver was an elderly woman and the 2 pedestrians were walking when the crosswalk sign said go. One of the males had minor injury’s and was able to walk off the scene the other sustained considerable head trauma and was in and out of conscious until fire arrived. Thank you all for your quick action.

KBear November 25, 2018 (12:55 pm)

While a protected left turn signal might be helpful at this intersection under normal circumstances, the oncoming traffic was blocked off for the farmers’ market. You don’t need a green arrow to turn left at what’s effectively a T intersection. The traffic signal wasn’t the problem here.

Reluctant Poster November 25, 2018 (2:57 pm)

A protected left turn signal would still help in this instance because the pedestrians would not have had a walk light at the same time as the green light for the car turning left from California.
- Waldorf November 25, 2018 (4:55 pm)
  
  The driver literally had nothing else to be paying attention to besides pedestrians in the crosswalk. The driver failed, not the intersection.
  - KBear November 25, 2018 (5:41 pm)
    
    Well put, Waldorf.
  - KM November 25, 2018 (6:54 pm)
    
    I think a combination of better multi-modal street design and a serious approach to how we address poor driving/traffic violence work best together.
Marianne November 25, 2018 (3:51 pm)

If the car had a left green turn arrow there wouldn’t have been pedestrians in the crosswalk. Hope everyone recovers quickly.
- KBear November 25, 2018 (4:44 pm)
  
  Pedestrians don’t always obey the signals. You still have to watch for pedestrians, arrow or not. Additional signals can cause delays for drivers and pedestrians. That’s why there aren’t left arrows at every light. A left arrow is not a substitute for attentive driving.
  - Cam November 26, 2018 (4:40 am)
    
    Huh? Are you arguing that drivers should just have free reign on the roads? Traffic signals are scientifically proven to improve safety and reduce traffic fatalities.
    - wscommuter November 26, 2018 (8:24 am)
      
      Huh? No … I think the point that Kbear is making is that this isn’t something we need to “nanny-state”. If drivers obey, you know, the law , then this wouldn’t happen. It is the law that drivers are required to yield to pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk. Not rocket science.
- T November 25, 2018 (6:46 pm)
  
  In theory Marianne, in theory.

Person November 25, 2018 (1:01 pm)

Good point KBear. Surprised it doesn’t happen more often.

Anthony Brown November 25, 2018 (1:05 pm)

Was this a high and run? I notice no one talk about the driver in this incident.

WSB November 25, 2018 (1:15 pm)

The driver was on scene, talking with police. Don’t know yet if a citation was issued.
- flimflam November 25, 2018 (3:21 pm)
  
  i would hope a citation is issued – pretty cut and dry when you hit someone in any crosswalk, let alone a “walk” signal.

Cinebelle November 25, 2018 (2:10 pm)

@Isaac, very glad you are going to ER to get yourself checked out – better safe than sorry. The woman who was driving was very distraught, and stayed at the scene. Hoping speedy recovery for everyone.

Swede. November 25, 2018 (3:17 pm)

Pretty common problem around that area. I’ve almost been hit by left turning drivers up in front of Itto’s (great place!) a couple of times and a friend of mine literally been hit THREE times in/and around the junction area too! Contrary to the name paying attention is free. Do it while driving!

Me November 25, 2018 (4:41 pm)

The area around Itto’s and California is nuts when it comes to drivers going way to fast. Spd should have a unit there at times

M November 25, 2018 (4:44 pm)

I was hit there many years ago. I was cycling heading north on California when a teenager turned left on Oregon and hit me. (It was an honest accident, but I will never forget it.)

Azimuth November 25, 2018 (6:18 pm)

One option for higher foot traffic areas is delayed car signals. All lights turn red, pedestrian signal changes, 5 seconds later car signal changes to green. Perhaps not the greatest option and may not have prevented this incident but it may be the simplest solution without a lot of new hardware or construction.

Maria & Bob November 25, 2018 (7:17 pm)

This happens frequently with left turning and also right turning traffic at the intersection of Fauntleroy and Edmunds St. Drivers appear oblivious of the pedestrian walk sign and they act upset when the walk signal is pointed out to them by pedestrians half-way across the crosswalk. Perhaps greater consequences when an accident happens might help spread the word that walk signs are part of the traffic control structure and need to be respected as much as a red light.

Mike November 25, 2018 (7:31 pm)

Kbear and Waldorf have hit the nail on the head.

justme November 25, 2018 (7:39 pm)

I’ve almost been hit in that intersection about 5 times over the last 3 years.

Kathy November 25, 2018 (8:14 pm)

This was very bad but could have been much worse, The next time you get behind the wheel of a car it would be wise to stop and think a moment about what kind of potential weapon you are wielding and then drive accordingly. Do you really need to drive a few miles around West Seattle to do your errands? Or could you do the environment a favor by using a shopping cart and walk/take a bus or use a bike with basket/paniers/trailer. You avoid the problem of what to do with your car when you get to your destination, and our neighborhoods would be safer with less traffic. Maybe this is too difficult for some people (steep hills, lack of bus service?) but not for many who rely on a car for convenience.

Julia November 25, 2018 (8:17 pm)

Not to excuse the driver, but I find visibility in my SUV is compromised by the wide A-pillars alongside the windshield. I’ve been surprised many times by pedestrians and even vehicles that seem to appear out of nowhere because they’ve been hidden behind those pillars. I’ve learned to be extra careful and watchful. I’ve read this is a common problem in newer cars which are built stronger but have sacrificed visibility.

LyndaB November 25, 2018 (9:07 pm)

This is a very valid point, Julia. My Honda Element was like that and I’m glad I have my Outback now. But to my shortness I still have to adapt. :) People are everywhere. We have to be adaptable and anticipate pedestrian and driver behaviors. It’s unfortunate this happened but hopefully more people learn from these incidents. Speedy recovery to the injured person and peace be with the driver. I would be distraught as well.
Swede. November 25, 2018 (9:15 pm)

Yes airbags in the A-pillars are an issue for visibility, but I would argue that after the first time you noticed that, which hopefully was the first time driving that car, you would adjusted your way of viewing around it…
Seattlite November 26, 2018 (4:07 pm)

What you describe are known as blind spots which every car has. I hope that when kids are learning to drive that they learn that blind spots are in the top three for causing accidents. I also hope that all kids learn the three-second rule: When the red light turns green always look to the right and left to make sure no car is going through a red light and then make sure no car is turning in front of you.

Don Brubeck November 25, 2018 (8:25 pm)

Hoping that the victims here will by OK. Swede has nailed it: ‘Contrary to the name paying attention is free. Do it while driving!”

Trickycoolj November 25, 2018 (8:29 pm)

I saw in the pics either here or from SPD on twitter that the driver was in a Honda CRV. Having driven a few Hondas they have horrible A-pillar designs since the addition of side airbags making it very difficult to see pedestrians at corners unless you do a bob and weave checking front and back of the pillar. I hate turning left at this very spot because of that blind spot and high ped traffic. Not saying anyone is in the right or wrong here, but that’s a very real issue in many modern cars and I have looked front and back of the pillar and still have had scary near misses in the dark. It’s definitely on the top of the list of test driving my next vehicle because I just don’t want to play A-pillar roulette in the city.

Brooke November 25, 2018 (9:59 pm)

I was there after it happened. One thing I noticed along with some other people is that the car was literally loaded up with things in every seat. The passenger seat was piled high with items. Most definitely this would have impacted the driver’s vision.

aa November 25, 2018 (8:46 pm)

Nice Kathy chimed in, we needed a sanctimonious Sally in the mix. Maybe , just maybe this was an accident. They are called that for a reason. It’s an unfortunate accident.

Onion November 25, 2018 (8:55 pm)

I learned many years ago as a pedestrian in Boston, where drivers are downright aggressive, to always establish eye contact with drivers. Without eye contact there is absolutely no guarantee that drivers even know you exist. And it’s worse now with drivers texting or focused on their gps rather than what is happening on the road.

newnative November 26, 2018 (10:34 am)

Eye contact does nothing but enrage me when the driver smiles and waves as they cut me off. My favorite is when the driver can legally turn on a red but waits until I have a walk signal to bust through the crosswalk.
- T November 26, 2018 (4:22 pm)
  
  Turning right on red is tricky because as soon as the light turns green pedestrians get the walk light and start to walk whether a car is turning or not. I’ve started a turn then the light turns green and peds step out and confront me even though I stopped for them. Cars going through the crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing with the walk light is of course wrong.

Bystander November 25, 2018 (10:06 pm)

The driver was an elderly woman. Her car was completely full of stuff, to the roof, even in the front passenger seat. She was very petite for that car. It seemed like she accelerated when turning the corner, almost like she went to slam the brakes and accelerated instead. She was in shock afterward and clearly devastated.I think the barricade of the farmer’s market gives people a false sense of security turning left there, making it feel like a protected turn since there is no oncoming traffic. I’ve certainly had to catch myself when I’m going through there on Sundays. When terrible things happen there’s a human instinct to assign a reason. I don’t think it’s every one thing…maybe a mix of an irregularity in the normal traffic flow due to the barricade, a driver who couldn’t respond quickly enough when she saw she was making an error, and just awful luck for the people who were in the crosswalk at that moment instead on 3 seconds before or after. This is awful for the victims, the driver, the witnesses…just a horrible occurrence. I’m not saying the driver shouldn’t be cited or face repercussions, but part of her punishment is having to live with the traumatic impact of causing harm that she obviously had not intended. There needs to be some compassion for everyone.

Kloppernicki November 25, 2018 (11:50 pm)

@bystander-its a big drag to hit someone in a crosswalk with your car. It’s a MUCH BIGGER DRAG to be hit BY a car. Compassion is great- until someone kills your dad/kid. After that, I’m pretty sure you have more pointed feelings.
Cam November 26, 2018 (4:43 am)

Totally agree, I blame the urban planners more than the driver. A protected left-turn would have prevented this accident from happening. She might not have been a very attentive driver but I doubt she would have brazenly run a red light.
- KBear November 26, 2018 (9:16 am)
  
  No, Cam. Just no. What about all the other intersections in the city that don’t have protected left turns? Are they incorrectly engineered, too? THERE WAS ALREADY A SIGNAL at that intersection that the driver blatantly disobeyed. It’s called a WALK LIGHT. You say “she might not have been a very attentive driver”. THAT is the problem, and it’s not something a green arrow can fix.
- Seattlite November 26, 2018 (4:10 pm)
  
  Sorry the blame solely on the driver.
Mmarie November 26, 2018 (5:18 am)

Well said, bystander.
Cinebelle November 26, 2018 (7:35 am)

I agree completely, and also noticed that the driver was a petite person with lots of stuff in her car. And something else I thought of later was – this time of year when the sun essentially stays super low in the sky, at the south, when you are driving south along California you can feel you are being blinded, driving straight into the sun. I find it so challenging sometimes I err on the side of creeping, with my sunglasses on, sunshade pulled down and sometimes my hand up too.All of that adds up to what several have said before – if you’re not sure you can drive your car safely especially where there will be a lot of pedestrians, try not to drive if you possibly can.

DD November 26, 2018 (8:36 am)

There have been some excellent suggestions here, including modifying the timing of lights in that intersection, making eye contact with a driver before assuming you are safe entering the street as a pedestrian, and, for drivers, being extra cautious in areas you know are full of pedestrians. I’d count the Sunday farmers’ market as a time when many extra folks are on the street, and thus even more likely to be in the crosswalk. I have almost been hit in that intersection several times and learned to be super aware. More than once a driver who buzzed through gave me a wave and an “oh dear..sorry” smile …when they could have killed me. I’d like to see more enforcement of pedestrian rights and safety in this city that is touting its livability as it increases density.

Art November 26, 2018 (9:57 am)

I’ve said for a long time that I’d like this intersection to be an “all walk” one like California/Alaska.

KBear November 26, 2018 (11:37 am)

Ugh! No “Walk all ways,” please! California & Alaska has WAY more pedestrians, so it makes sense there. At Oregon, it would just add at least one more phase to the light, causing traffic to back up on Oregon, where backups are already a problem.
- Kathy November 26, 2018 (9:46 pm)
  
  See this is the problem: Drivers don’t want to be “inconvenienced” and the city kowtows to their wishes because there are more of them than pedestrians. For lower traffic intersections, it is possible to have a pedestrian activated walk all ways signal. There is one on Beacon Avenue S. where it crosses 15th Ave S. Improvement at this intersection might have been a good candidate for the Neighborhood Street Fund, however the application deadline was November 19th.World Day of Remembrance for victims of traffic violence is observed on November 18th every year. This year people from all over the city gathered to memorialize loved ones they have lost to vehicle crashes. There was one man at the event who was hit while walking and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He spoke painfully slowly, saying that he mourned the person he used to be because “that person doesn’t exist any more”. I sincerely hope the person who was hit in this crash does not suffer any lasting damage.The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is looking for new members in case anyone is interested.

Jennifer November 26, 2018 (11:42 am)

I almost got hit by a car while walking my dog across from the coin shop to Shadowland. I had the go ahead from the walk signal and saw her car and assumed she would wait for me to cross.. she didn’t. After yelling at the driver she said “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you!!”. You have no business driving if you cannot see what is directly in front of you.