UPDATE: Pedestrian hit by driver at Jefferson Square

10:27 AM: A sizable SFD/SPD response in the Jefferson Square parking lot right now after a driver hit a pedestrian – “while backing out,” according to the dispatch. Our crew is there and says the victim is being readied for transport to the hospital by SFD medic unit. This happened toward the southwest end of the lot.

10:31 AM: An AMR ambulance has arrived, which means the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening. Access to Jefferson Square is limited until this all clears.

6:22 PM: We’ve just heard from a relative of the victim, who is a 93-year-old woman and remains in the hospital with serious injuries. (See comment below.)

Safeway customer July 26, 2019 (10:56 am)

I hope the pedestrian is ok and they make a speedy recovery. That parking lot has always been a nightmare for some reason. I’m not sure what happened in this particular situation but Drivers often don’t yield to pedestrians – or other drivers – and they often seem to back up without even looking. I like Safeway’s prices but lately I’ve switched to Thriftway or QFC because parking at Jefferson Square has become too much of a hassle.

Chemist July 26, 2019 (11:50 am)

The Roxbury Safeway has a lot of parking and they don’t have Seattle’s soda tax.Unfortunately, they also seem to often have a in-store soda special price that’s slightly different from what you’ll see in the weekly sales flier. The price is normally comparable, but it’ll be structured slightly differently.
- East Coast Cynic July 26, 2019 (6:47 pm)
  
  I do most of my Safeway shopping at the Roxbury location: Big parking lot, easy to find spaces and park in them. Parking in Jefferson Square is like parking in a phone booth. Roxbury also isn’t constantly out of items unlike Jefferson Square.

smittytheclown July 26, 2019 (11:09 am)

Worst parking lot in West Seattle. I avoid that place exactly for that reason. I bet there are multiple car scrapes and near-misses on a daily basis. Hope everyone is OK.

candrewb July 26, 2019 (12:06 pm)

I made the mistake of pulling in there on a Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I’ll never do that again. Barely made it out in time for the first football game…

Alex S. July 26, 2019 (11:52 am)

Many new cars have back-up detection systems which would prevent this kind of accident – an accident that often turns out to be deadly as the car tends to roll-over the pedestrian and pins them under the car.This should be a standard feature on all new cars.

SomeoneInSeattle July 26, 2019 (12:22 pm)

Starting in 2018, they are on all light cars sold in the US & Canada.
Westseattlegrown July 26, 2019 (10:23 pm)

The car that backed into her has the specific features however the lady said that the features didn’t work in this situation, she also had a toddler and newborn in the car at the time.
KM July 27, 2019 (6:17 am)

Problem is, many people cannot afford new cars. I also wonder if those camera are affordable to maintain as the cars get older, or if people will forgo the maintenance since it could be considered unnecessary.

norskgirl July 26, 2019 (12:18 pm)

Hope the pedestrian is OK. I ‘ve observed this parking lot (and many drivers who use it) to be unsafe. Frequently I have witnessed drivers going the wrong direction up/down the parking lanes. Perhaps some highly visible directional arrows painted on the lanes would be helpful. Also, the same area which cars use to enter/exit the parking lanes is typically occupied by pedestrians entering/exiting the store. Extra attentiveness by drivers is required for safety.

Um, No! July 26, 2019 (12:30 pm)

Honestly, I’m amazed there is not someone hit daily in that parking lot. Also amazed there are not more car vs car accidents there as well. It’s a horrible parking lot. By far one of the worst in Seattle. Unfortunately there really isn’t anything that can be done in terms of design. Sure, let’s put the entrance and exit to a busy parking lot right in front of the doors of a grocery store. Bah, what could happen?

Mj July 26, 2019 (12:45 pm)

Hope the ped is ok. Back in angle parking is way safer! When a motorists leaves they are facing traffic and pads.

Jim P. July 26, 2019 (12:46 pm)

Few people backing out really turn and watch behind them while doing it. If they don’t see a car or anything that’s a threat when looking in the mirror, it’s full speed astern.

Gene July 26, 2019 (1:40 pm)

Beginning to think many drivers don’t even think to use their mirrors.

Susan July 26, 2019 (12:51 pm)

One of the reasons that I always back into a parking stall is because I know what’s behind and alongside me. When I leave, I’m driving forward with full view of pedestrians and moving cars.

Chemist July 26, 2019 (1:19 pm)

The parking stalls in that lot are angled and directional arrows sort of indicate a flow that encourages front-in parking and would make backing into spaces rather difficult due to the larger turn required.

Tanej July 26, 2019 (1:33 pm)

I abandoned that Safeway and its parking lot over 15 years ago! Has to be the absolute WORST lot in the city (and there are some other real doozies)!

miws July 26, 2019 (1:35 pm)

That parking lot has been a nightmare for 32 years. J. Square opened in 1987. —Mike

AJ July 26, 2019 (1:49 pm)

I hope the pedestrian will be okay. I also hate this parking lot, to the point that I only go there when I absolutely have to, which is maybe once a year.

Michael July 26, 2019 (2:47 pm)

I live across the street and have a view of that lot. It’s always a total disaster and amazing there aren’t more collisions. The entire entry area from 42nd is a jam of foot traffic and oblivious cars trying to make left turns in every direction. The parking spaces should be re-striped in the opposite direction so entering traffic from 42nd doesn’t have to stop and wait for exiting traffic. Traffic should flow in to the *middle* of that lot so there is no crossover at the high traffic area.

WSMom July 26, 2019 (4:21 pm)

Oh no! I was just there yesterday and it is the worst parking lot in WS. I was nervous backing out of my parking spot. I hope the person who got hit is okay.

I. Ponder July 26, 2019 (4:56 pm)

There is no pedestrian walkway within the parking lot. The parking lot needs to be redesigned to include protected pedestrian walkways. Must also be accessible and safe for people in wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and any other mobility assists. This may or may need mean a net loss of sacred parking spaces. Additionally, there needs to be a mid-block crosswalk between the Safeway lot and the buildings across the street. Pedestrians aren’t going to walk 50 yards to the corner to cross.

Olafur July 26, 2019 (5:47 pm)

When I have to go to J. Square, I know to drive my old, crappy car, not my nice one. I’ve seen multiple instances of drivers backing straight into another car or nearly hitting a pedestrian there and have had someone back into the side of my car there, as well. (They had no insurance and had failed to register the vehicle in their name when they bought it; they were upset that I called SPD, they assured me they’d pay for the damage, but ghosted me; I had to sue them and they never paid the judgement.) Too many people back up without looking. Back-in parking is problematic too, though, because so many people can’t back into a spot accurately and end up taking two.

MJ July 26, 2019 (5:54 pm)

Michael agreed reversing the flow and forcing back in angle parking would be an improvement. And the cost would be minimal!

Swede. July 26, 2019 (5:58 pm)

The mere fact that people blame the parking lot shows the real problem – you can’t drive. Doesn’t matter how many electronics, airbags or gadgets you have if you don’t learn to control your vehicle and rules of the road. Hope the person hit is ok. Shouldn’t be to bad since you can’t get up to any real dangerous speed in such a short distance as it would been. Still a sucky day for him/her.

Mok4315 July 26, 2019 (6:29 pm)

Well said, Swede.

raywest July 26, 2019 (6:05 pm)

I hope the pedestrian is okay. I really hate this parking lot. I’m always afraid when backing up I might hit another car or a person. I have a back-up camera, but it’s practically useless on a bright sunny day. A couple of years ago, I came back to my car to find that someone had dented the rear bumper (hit and run). In trying to find out who hit me, I was very disappointed to learn that there’s no camera surveillance in the lot.

Wendy July 26, 2019 (6:15 pm)

The pedestrian who was hit in the crosswalk was my 93 year old mom. She’s currently in Harborview Trauma ICU with brain bleeds, broken ribs, a broken elbow and pelvic fractures. She’s in incredible pain from all of her injuries, including all-over bruising and cuts. Thankfully she doesn’t remember being hit and slamming on the ground.

Flimflam July 26, 2019 (7:40 pm)

Oh no, that is awful. Poor gal – I hope she recovers and the pain eases for her.
Lee July 26, 2019 (9:26 pm)

I wish your mother a speedy recovery, and I’m very sorry this happened to her.
Olafur July 26, 2019 (11:05 pm)

Wendy, we’re keeping good thoughts for your Mom.
raywest July 27, 2019 (3:59 am)

So sorry this had to happen to your mother, and I hope she makes a full recovery. Please keep WSB updated so we know how she’s doing.
Dana July 27, 2019 (10:43 am)

Best wishes for your mom Wendy. She is a spunky gal.
Diane July 27, 2019 (2:29 pm)

omg Wendy, so sorry to hear this very sad news; my dad is 93 and I would be devastated if this happened to him; prayers for her recovery; please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help

Trish July 26, 2019 (7:06 pm)

Red Dog, sorry to hear about your Grandma. This is Arron from the Y’s grandma. We are all sending prayers your way.

WellWishes July 26, 2019 (7:11 pm)

So sorry to hear about your mom. Really hope she recovers quickly!

Don Brubeck July 26, 2019 (8:38 pm)

Wendy, So sorry to hear about this. What an awful thing to have to endure at 93 years of age. I hope the good staff at Harborview can effectively reduce her pain and suffering, and that you don’t lose your mom in this way.

Mike July 26, 2019 (9:32 pm)

Wendy I am so sorry to hear about Dorthy she is so strong hoping she will pull out of this.love you guys

Mj July 26, 2019 (10:19 pm)

Don well said!

Karen White July 26, 2019 (11:01 pm)

Wendy, so very sorry to see this, and the extent of her injuries. I know that she is precious to you. Like others, I hope her pain can be eased and your pain as well. Sending you an e-hug!

Bradley July 27, 2019 (1:13 am)

We’ve had to make several trips to the vet there lately and every time I’ve seen more than one driver smoking marijuana in those parking spaces. Add intoxicated drivers to the worst, most confusing, crowded parking lot in West Seattle and it’s a guaranteed disaster.

anonyme July 27, 2019 (7:33 am)

As Swede pointed out, you can blame the parking lot all you want but the real problem is drivers. A quick look at the comments would indicate that most people are aware of the parking issues at this location; any sensible individual would exercise extra caution under such circumstances. A 93-year-old woman did not just suddenly run up behind a car and surprise the driver. I saw the same thing happen at the 7-11 where there is plenty of room and visibility. Again, an elderly woman was crossing the lot when some idiot backed right into her, causing her to collapse over the trunk and grip the car for balance. In this case, the driver just casually turned and left the parking lot without making any contact at all with the victim. It’s a human problem of self-absorption.

Me July 27, 2019 (8:02 am)

Trade joes is also awful and ask Jeff and Sean about trying to fix that problem it gose no where at all.

Barb Vadakin July 27, 2019 (9:41 am)

Mike and Wendy, you are both in my thoughts. Hoping for the best for Dorothy.

Diane July 27, 2019 (2:35 pm)

and yes, what Don said so well, worth repeating; “Wendy, So sorry to hear about this. What an awful thing to have to endure at 93 years of age. I hope the good staff at Harborview can effectively reduce her pain and suffering, and that you don’t lose your mom in this way.”

Sibyl Mar July 28, 2019 (6:46 pm)

I’m Dorothy’s neighbor and friend of the family, It breaks my heart to say that Dorothy passed from her injuries this morning. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Wright family, she will be dearly missed.

Trileigh July 28, 2019 (8:02 pm)

Oh NO. This is such a tragedy. I am so very, very sorry for Dorothy’s family and friends – a terrible loss for them.

Sandi July 31, 2019 (1:08 pm)

I just learned of this tragic accident and the passing of my neighbor, Dorothy. So very sad. My heartfelt condolences to Dorothy’s family. She and Everett were such wonderful neighbors. I also send condolences to the woman her accidentally hit her. No one wants to be involved in any accident. And especially one so tragic. A good reminder to all of us to take our time and be extra careful when driving.

Sorry, comment time is over.