UPDATE: Woman hit and killed on SW Barton by Westwood Village

Nataliesullivan84 July 3, 2019 (9:52 am)

My son and I drove by this just moments after it had happened. It was very traumatizing. If anyone has updated on how the pedestrian is doing please let us know. Thank you.

WSB July 3, 2019 (9:57 am)

We’ll be checking with SFD but she probably hasn’t even gotten to the hospital yet. I sent Patrick there after hearing the call while he was checking out the 15th/Henderson crash and he saw medics giving her CPR.
Bill July 3, 2019 (11:38 am)

This is absolutely horrible. I am so saddened by this horrible senseless accident. Yes. They’re absolutely positively needs to be flashing beacon is there or a pedestrian light or a stop sign. I am so damn sick and tired of WSDOT spending levy dollars on really stupid senseless of things. For example they were going to install a flashing school beacon on Barton Street even though they knew the school was no longer going to be a school. The installation of the traffic island at 30th and Trenton. Worthless. I’m going to start calling the WSDOT offices and lodge a complaint. I absolutely agree with one of the comments here. That “Transit Center” is just plain dangerous. In every respect. Here are the numbers for WSDOT. Feel free to call them and demand that something be done about that crosswalk and that whole bus stop.

WSDOT Headquarters

360-705-7000 / 360-705-7438
Staffed 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday except state holidays
- WSB July 3, 2019 (11:52 am)
  
  Please don’t contact WSDOT. They have NOTHING to do with this – they are the agency in charge of state transportation matters.
  This is SDOT, the city transportation agency. 206-684-ROAD.
  http://seattle.gov/transportation
  
  Also: GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL. Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council is almost extinct due to lack of participation. People suddenly discover community advocacy when there’s a crisis but more involvement sooner would help. A handful of volunteers can’t do it alone. Through two rounds of leadership, WWRHAH has fought for more safety measures here. We’ve written about it many times.
  - Bill July 3, 2019 (12:07 pm)
    
    Whoops, My bad. Thank you so much for the correction. Yes let’s start doing something about this.
  - bill July 3, 2019 (1:55 pm)
    
    Thank you for the correction. My bad. I will follow your links. Thank you.
- face less July 3, 2019 (6:52 pm)
  
  I’m with Bill. We clearly need flashing pedestrian cross walks that light up as big as Dicks hat band.
- Laurie July 5, 2019 (9:21 am)
  
  Washington State DOT would be the wrong agency to make a complaint about this to. Chances are this is a city of Seattle road. Try Seattle DOT you may have better luck with them.

DRW July 3, 2019 (10:00 am)

I hope the accident victim and all involved are OK and not seriously hurt. That crosswalk is dangerous. Always has been. The busses block the view of people crossing to the north. This crosswalk really, really needs this activated flashers.

CSG July 3, 2019 (10:25 am)

Completely agree. Flashers are a good idea.
Kat July 3, 2019 (10:25 am)

I agree!

Lola July 3, 2019 (10:14 am)

Wow if that is the dent left by the impact I hope the woman is ok. Scary that is the bag of groceries under his truck as that could have been her. Hope she is ok.

Anon July 3, 2019 (10:22 am)

I so wish they would put in flashing lights at the crosswalks here – I’ve often thought it was a dangerous crossing in general, particularly with the buses stopped making it harder to see potential crossers. Saddened for everyone involved today.

John July 3, 2019 (10:57 am)

The bus is shouldn’t even be there! It was a terrible place to begin with and they weren’t wanted there

Margaret July 3, 2019 (10:25 am)

Walking across the street at that bus stop is dangerous. The buses block the sight line and traffic buzzes by at breakneck speed. There needs to be a light there. This is so sad she was probably buying her 4th of July celebration groceries.

WSMom July 3, 2019 (11:41 am)

I agree with Margaret. There needs to be a light there. Lots of people crossing on that crosswalk (legally) but it’s hard for drivers to see them sometimes when they just walk right out. I’ve had to slam my breaks on many times that now I try to avoid that spot. I’m sorry for the person who was hit.

Steve July 3, 2019 (10:49 am)

Thank you for saying the person was struck by a “driver” and not a “car.” WSB is one of the few news outlets that doesn’t use a passive voice when talking about traffic violence.

KM July 3, 2019 (12:23 pm)

I always appreciate WSB’s use of “crash” and not “accident” as well.
- WSB July 3, 2019 (1:57 pm)
  
  That one dates back to long before I left TV for this almost 12 years ago. Words do matter. We’re far from perfect but even at this late career stage I’m trying to keep listening and re-evaluating.- TR
  - KM July 3, 2019 (3:36 pm)
    
    I really appreciate it. I still hear “accident” from a lot of broadcasters, but I have definitely noticed an improvement.I truly hope the victim recovers quickly (and the driver is held responsible.)
- savoirfaire July 3, 2019 (3:51 pm)
  
  Agree on both points!
  - NE July 3, 2019 (5:36 pm)
    
    That location for a busy bus soul is pure moronic to start. You can’t see people crossing and the buses stop and completely block traffic. Why wasn’t this thought about in the first place rather than putting this mess on such a busy road. Should have been on 26th or Trenton. But the planners do what they do without listening. We’ve seen that is the road construction and park planning for years. Planning meetings occur after plans are made. I feel terrible for both parties here and hope everyone is okay. Perhaps SDOT will just move the dang thing to a appropriate location. It’s just a dangerous and frustrating where it is currently.

MJ July 3, 2019 (10:51 am)

I hope the driver is fully insured as required by State law and the victim makes a full recovery

JRR July 3, 2019 (10:57 am)

I’m so sorry for the person hit. The intersections and crosswalks around wwv are completely insufficient for a so-called transit center and neighbors and activists have been saying this ever since the “transit center” designation was given. No priority to pedestrians and people drive like they’re playing chicken. It’s sad and it didn’t have to happen.

West Seattle Hipster July 3, 2019 (11:01 am)

This is just terrible, praying for a full recovery for the injured woman.A controlled traffic light is a must for that crosswalk. SDOT and city leaders need to make it happen.

Jim P. July 3, 2019 (11:47 am)

“A controlled traffic light is a must for that crosswalk. SDOT and city leaders need to make it happen.”There is one about fifty yards down the road. If you mean the pedestrian crossing where all the buses layover. I use it when in doubt about the drivers whizzing along Barton when I get off there.
- West Seattle Hipster July 4, 2019 (1:43 pm)
  
  Delridge has a few controlled stop lights within close proximity, this crosswalk should have a controlled traffic light to reduce the chances more pedestrians are killed.

maddad July 3, 2019 (11:07 am)

This whole are is poorly designed. From the Westwood villiage parking to the entrance at Mcdonalds. We rarely shop here because of the dangerous things that happen with people walking out in front of you and People running the idiotic stop signs near QFC. The worst thing on Barton is the BUS STOP that blocks all Eastbound Cars. I’ve seen traffic stopped all the way back to 35th for one BUS !! GET RID of the block in the road and put in a signal for crossing!! Westwood wonders why people don’t want to shop there!

Matt July 3, 2019 (11:30 am)

I really wish the city would do a better job marking lanes on Barton. I see a lot of people treating it as if it is two lanes. The inconsistency has to add a significant amount of danger to pedestrians.

datamuse July 3, 2019 (11:55 am)

I wouldn’t be surprised. I think it also makes people think they can drive faster there than is really safe. If I’m going slow enough to make sure I can see people walking, traffic pulling out of Westwood, etc I’m sure to have someone tailgating me.
- OhHowIknow July 3, 2019 (1:31 pm)
  
  This is terrible, i hope the person will be OK! As for that roadway, it is terrible to drive on any way you look at it, slow or fast it is so bumpy from those busses! I agree with everyone else that the cross walk needs a flashing light.
Josh July 3, 2019 (2:17 pm)

Agree!

Tom July 3, 2019 (11:35 am)

I agree that pedestrians and drivers are “playing chicken” when pedestrians try to cross in front of a bus. Many times, I’ve had my close calls with that crosswalk, too. Some drivers feel they have the right of way over pedestrians. I just came home from Westwood and the police were still there. Very sad indeed.

Jim P. July 3, 2019 (11:45 am)

One has to use careful discretion with that crosswalk. I’ve used it many times and I am legally blind, you have to wait at the edge of the bus if one is there and look and listen most carefully, you cannot just sashay on out. (NOT saying the victim did that.)That being said, there *are* drivers, loads of then in Seattle, who would rather see you as a hood ornament rather than yield at a crosswalk even if they see you a block away and other lanes of traffic are obviously stopped.Far too many drivers regard crosswalks as an amusing fiction having nothing to do with them as they are currently not pedestrians and only things that pose a threat to them and their car are real.Ask any motorcyclist. People in cars and trucks generally do not see anything that does not pose a direct threat to their own safety. (And you cannot even bet on that, look at how many people will pull out in front of an oncoming ambulance or fire truck running with lights and sirens on full.)

anonyme July 3, 2019 (12:06 pm)

Another genius design from SDOT, making streets more dangerous all over Seattle.

St July 3, 2019 (12:06 pm)

Not the first incident there sadly.

soarringcam July 3, 2019 (12:07 pm)

METRO AGREEDED TO ADD FLASHING LIGHTS 2018I feel so sad for this accident.In 2018 I informed Metro about the safety issues of this crosswalk.They were sent photo’s and accounts of “close calls”.Metro Safety Supervisor contacted me and we discussed the issues.The City Council has also been sent complaints as the City Street Engineering Department.The problem exists when there is a bus stopped, there is a sight limited view of people crossing in the crosswalk. I do not know if this contributed to todays accident.We email back and forth several times.Then Metro agreed to upgrade the crosswalk with flashing lights.I thought that they would follow thru with their promises but they failed to.I was recently preparing new photo’s of the busses blocking the line of sight to the crosswalk, to submit a new request for flashing lights. But its too late. I am sorry I did not follow thru sooner.I will have these email available for the attorneys of the person injured.(p.s.) Another issue at West Wood Village, is that there is not a safe entrance to McDonalds at 26th. and Barton. I have photo’s of wheel chair persons in the west wood village street, trying to get into McDonalds. City Council has been sent information also on this issue, They will not fix it.

BlairJ July 3, 2019 (12:14 pm)

The vehicle pictured was westbound. The fact that the pedestrian had a bag of groceries would indicate that she was crossing southbound. So in this case the buses on the south side of the street would not have been blocking the driver’s view of the approaching pedestrian. I agree that a flashing beacon would help alert drivers that they need to yield.

Alki resident July 3, 2019 (12:17 pm)

Those buses are a distraction and need to be relocated. I’ve had close calls myself. There is no flashing lights on the crosswalk which makes it even worse. This accident was completely preventable. My heart goes out to the lady, I hope she makes it. Sounds horrible.

Josh July 3, 2019 (12:19 pm)

This is so sad. Prayers to the injured lady.Something needs to be done on this stretch of Barton! So dangerous. The busses create a wall where pedestrians dart out at many areas between them; it’s often difficult to turn onto Barton (left OR right) with busses blocking visibility. And in general, there’s so much going on – stopped traffic, pedestrians, incoming/outgoing patrons to the mall! No question, we drivers need to pay attention- it’s just that it’s a real mess on this stretch.

soarringcam July 3, 2019 (12:30 pm)

I also initiated the sidewalk at 30ave. SW and SW Roxbury street. Took 4 years to get that sidewalk. Only got it because I discovered that it was a safe walkway to school route. Luckily no children were injured walking in the street.Also School Zone Lights on Roxbury, as parked school busses blocked sight of crosswalk.Also contributed to SW Roxbury street sidewalk between 30th sw and 28th sw.The list goes on but now I feel that I let someone down.

oakley34 July 3, 2019 (12:42 pm)

If you need to slam on the brakes in that area, an area you are seemingly familiar with, then you are going too fast. People love to blame transit, or pedestrians, but never consider automobile drivers. Slow the F down out there, especially around crosswalks (and yes I have been hit by a car in WS crossing a legal crosswalk with right of way and the ped X signal) or places you (speaking to all not the author of the above comment) know to be potential high ped traffic areas.

Josh July 3, 2019 (2:22 pm)

Wrong! My wife and I are extremely careful drivers. I pay extremely close attention on that stretch (knowing high pedestrian activity). I agree with another commenter, the busses create a mess there!
- donttreadonme July 3, 2019 (3:37 pm)
  
  That everyone individually thinks they’re such careful and skilled drivers while blaming everyone else is, in fact, part of the problem.
- KM July 3, 2019 (3:48 pm)
  
  An extremely safe driver would, and should, slow down as much as necessary to assess the crosswalk if visibility is blocked by busses, even if that’s 20mph. In addition, good design encourages good driving, and there are a lot of improvements here than need to be made. Clear striping, beacons, raised crosswalks, curb bulbs, and a lower speed limit are a start, in addition to traffic violence being treated with the gravity it deserves.

Toni Reineke July 3, 2019 (1:11 pm)

Another factor not brought up in reader comments is that Daystar Retirement complex is just south of the bus center, and lots of residents use that intersection to cross to Westwood Village. My heart goes out to both the pedestrian, who has my fervent wishes for full recovery. It also goes out to the driver, who must be terribly traumatized, as I would be, no matter the circumstances of the injuries. Thank you WSB readers for writing so thoughtfully!

Ws prayers July 3, 2019 (4:33 pm)

I completely agree with daystar retirement center being there -elderly peklle,are vulnerable crossing that street they are not as fast, eyesight not so good, ect.-there needs to be a better design buses layover thete block traffic buses dont line up gotta run all the way up to rite aid to connect to buses gotta cross street just to ser ur connecting bus pass u by …so frustrating i know westwood was on a ballet for redo for transit center as well as other areas that need it I can’t remember who got the vote but hopefully its not going to take more people getting injured for chance to happen-it absolutely needs a redo bottom line

JB July 3, 2019 (1:13 pm)

They are fixing many of the crosswalks in the West Seattle area and you can see paint markings where the improvements will be made at this particular crosswalk. Looks like curb bulbs will be added to allow one lane thru each way there. Also Google “Barton Street Crosswalk Improvements” and you can see the plans for improvements.

CBPylant July 3, 2019 (3:20 pm)

Thanks!

Nataliesullivan84 July 3, 2019 (2:25 pm)

I totally agree the buses do block drivers views. And there should be something done. In this case the truck was driving west and the pedestrian was walking south. So the buses weren’t a factor in this instance. I still haven’t heard anything about the lady. The image I saw when I drove by us imbedded in my brain. Someone covered her body up with a blanket. There was a guy with his hand on her praying. A lady was trying to direct traffic. Her groceries and shoes were under the car. The old guy driving the truck was in complete shock as was everyone else around.

WSB July 3, 2019 (3:35 pm)

As reported above, she was in critical condition when transported. Without a name, that’s generally where the publicly available (media included) information stops, though I’m trying the Harborview media-relations folks anyway. – TR

Bradley July 3, 2019 (3:00 pm)

That Rapid Ride stop has been a nightmare for Westwood Village and the entire area. That damn crosswalk, the parked buses, and the blocked street when the buses are loading are all EXTREMELY dangerous. That poor woman is fighting for her life because of the idiots who designed this terrible mess.

Seriously? July 3, 2019 (3:13 pm)

I hope all parties involved are okay, driver, victim and family/friends. With the summer and holiday at hand, please be safe neighbors! Drivers, cyclers and pedestrians, please be vigilant! Better to wait a few minutes for safety than end up injured or worse. Everyone have a safe and happy 4th!

Roy Hobbs July 3, 2019 (3:44 pm)

So sad to see this, I live nearby. I couldn’t agree more with those that are frustrated with the bus parking, cross walk, and overall design at Westwood Village. It is awful for pedestrians, drivers, probably for buses. Unsafe, and creates unnecessary delays. Only SDOT could any think stacking buses next to the main entrance of a mall was a good idea.

Lesley July 3, 2019 (4:04 pm)

Plus the driveways are scary to walk through; And even the crosswalk at the signal is a disaster. Too many people taking lefts and rights on red and not yielding to peds. It should be exponentially more walk-able than it is.

flimflam July 3, 2019 (6:46 pm)

man that dent in the picture says a lot…hope this woman recovers.

soarringcam July 3, 2019 (8:16 pm)

I google “SW BARTON STREET CROSSWALK INPROVEMENTS”
I was surprised to see that in 2016 Flashing Beacons were recommended to be installed.Here is the link.
http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SDOT/NSF/2016039.pdf
CITY DID NOT FOLLOW THRU WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.

WSB July 3, 2019 (9:01 pm)

I am sorry to say that all indications are pointing to this having turned fatal – I am not likely to get final confirmation until Friday but Harborview told me, while also asking me to contact other agencies, that “this did not have a good outcome” and “she’s not with us any longer.” SPD public affairs could not confirm it had turned fatal but when I then moved on to precinct leadership, they said simply that it would be up to the Medical Examiner to release ID and make notifications. The case wasn’t on the ME’s midafternoon daily release. If this is confirmed, it would be – so far as our archives show – the first deadly crash in West Seattle since the motorcycle wreck that killed Joel Eggert in Highland Park in December 2016; the last deadly pedestrian crashes were in 2014, on 35th and on Delridge. A 55-year-old woman was killed crossing Barton a bit further east in 2008. // With the holiday, we probably won’t get any more information/confirmation until Friday – TR

KM July 3, 2019 (10:19 pm)

Oh my god, how awful.

dsa July 3, 2019 (10:09 pm)

Tragic happening for the family.

Olafur July 3, 2019 (11:15 pm)

I walk several miles every day in West Seattle and I’m sorry to report that only about 50% of vehicle drivers stop for pedestrians crossing at intersections, even in painted crosswalks. I also drove through that portion of Barton Street earlier this week and watched as a gentleman stood waiting to cross at that same crosswalk and the two vehicles in front of me failed to stop. He actually looked surprised when I stopped and waved him across. I know the feeling – when I’m walking, I’ve learned to assume drivers are not going to stop for me.

Tsurly July 4, 2019 (7:43 am)

Nailed it. Driver behavior/inattentiveness/negligence is the problem, and no amount of flashing lights, pavement markings, etc. will fix the problem.

Ken July 3, 2019 (11:56 pm)

Such a tragic happening – very infuriating to see that crosswalk flashing signals were recommended back in 2016 but that the SDOT never followed through. Why can Costco put in flashing pedestrian crossing signals at the 4th Ave. store but SDOT cannot? Two other very busy WS pedestrian crossings badly in need of flashing signals are on California Ave. in the WS Junction – just north & south of Alaska Street.

momosmom July 4, 2019 (4:24 am)

This is so sad for all and my condolences to all involved…”Why can Costco put in flashing lights”…because they actually care for the safety of their employees/customers and also bring in big money for the Revenue Department so the City will pretty much do what’s asked.
KM July 4, 2019 (7:48 am)

SDOT has a recently history of not fixing KNOWINGLY dangerous roads and intersections, or going forward with designs that are not proven to be safe. People have protested, SDOT is still lost or downright willfully ignorant. Coupled with lack of enforcement, we have a very dangerous situation on our roadways.
- CAM July 4, 2019 (10:14 am)
  
  IIRC, SDOT had a long list of cyclist and pedestrian related street projects that were being planned and budgeted for that were scrapped or reevaluated or something like that when Mayor Durkan took office. She and her executive team had SDOT reprioritize a lot of those projects if I’m remembering right. The timeline suggests this could have been one of the projects that got deprioritized when the change in leadership happened.
- CAM July 4, 2019 (10:18 am)
  
  I should add to my comment though that doesn’t mean this accident was because those improvements weren’t made. It looks like this accident happened in the middle of the road where the pedestrian should have been very visible to the driver and not that she was just entering the crosswalk. That’s just based on photos though and could be wrong.
  - WSB July 4, 2019 (10:44 am)
    
    She was in the crosswalk, according to preliminary police information.

Bernie July 4, 2019 (9:28 am)

The lady was my great aunt and she succumbed to her injuries. She live a block away and has crossed that crosswalk many times. This is a tragic loss to our family because we just buried her sister 5 days ago:(. They need flashing lights because of the blind spot caused by the buses. This should have not happened.

WSB July 4, 2019 (10:19 am)

I am so sorry for your losses, Bernie. Thank you for the confirmation.
WSresident July 4, 2019 (10:52 am)

I’m so very sorry for your loss. Something has to be done about that street! :(
Lolita Ramos Gabuat July 4, 2019 (11:47 am)

I agree, Bernie. It’s a huge loss to our family.
Diane July 4, 2019 (12:42 pm)

oh no, this is terrible news, so very sorry for your loss; prayers for your family
Deb Labador Dragovich July 4, 2019 (2:33 pm)

I’m so sorry to hear about your Auntie(s).It is especially sad since both sisters have passed so close together. May they both rest in peace and safe in Jesus arms. Please extend my deepest condolences to your entire family
Michelle Reyno July 5, 2019 (2:23 am)

Bernie. I am so sorry to hear about auntie. Please keep us updated when you can. Love you guys.
Kathy July 5, 2019 (3:17 pm)

Bernie, my condolences to you and your family and your great aunt’s friends. I am a West Seattle representative in the safe streets organization Seattle Neighborhood Greenways . If a time comes sometime in the future when you and the rest of her family would feel comfortable sharing your great aunt’s name and a photograph, we sometimes, family willing, conduct memorial walks at the site for victims of traffic violence. You can contact us through the website, http://seattlegreenways.org/
- Bernie July 6, 2019 (6:36 pm)
  
  Thank you? I will ask my cousin her daughter. This is still under investigation so names are not being released.
Sue July 5, 2019 (7:31 pm)

Bernie,I am so sorry for your loss. I had been praying for her. It is so sad that this happened. 🙏🏻❤️

run_dmc July 4, 2019 (11:41 am)

This is so awful. I’m so sorry for the family’s loss. It sounds like it was preventable which makes it that much more tragic. Please, please – to everyone driving out there – slow down and be careful. (And, as a driver, I include myself in that). We live here on a hill on a one lane road with no sidewalks – a place where you would expect people to drive exceedingly carefully – since you are sharing the road with pedestrians, pets, kids playing and other cards coming the opposite way. Every single day we see numerous cars blazing up or down the road without a care in the world acting as if no one else in the world exists or matters. My husband is out gardening and often has to jump out of the way of cars speeding by. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets badly hurt. And, if people drive this way on a road where you clearly should be driving slowly and carefully, I can only imagine how the same people drive on a road like SW Barton.The nano-seconds you are going to save by speeding are certainly not worth the lifetime of regret if you hurt someone with your car.

AmandaK July 4, 2019 (9:24 pm)

The community has asked, begged, and written multiple grants to get a pedestrian activated signal here since 2012. I am absolutely heartbroken that this happen, I am so sorry. I wish I would have pushed on SDOT and Metro even harder.

trisha July 4, 2019 (10:30 pm)

build a bridge across the street!!!!!!!!!!!! only way to protect citizens 100%

Kathy July 11, 2019 (6:36 pm)

Build a bridge across the crosswalk you mean so drivers who want to speed won’t endanger people just trying to walk across? Because how is a senior citizen carrying groceries going to be expected to climb up and down stairs just to cross a road? It would not be ADA compliant. It would effectively be a barrier to people trying to do their shopping. Here is more sadness to add to this story: Googling the incident a week later indicates that no other news outlet found this a big enough story to report it other than a thread on Reddit Seattle. Traffic violence against pedestrians is so common it’s not even considered newsworthy by the Seattle Times , KOMO, KING5, KIRO.

WS Driver July 7, 2019 (2:35 pm)

What a sad sad story. I have had several close calls there because of the buses which block my view. I agree with others, a poorly designed crossing and the bus stop should not be there – a huge distraction for drivers and pedestrians. Who designs these bus stops? Another poorly designed stretch of bus stops starts on the corner of Morgan/Fauntleroy and all along California. As the buses turn from Fauntleroy onto California heading north, they completely block traffic and make it dangerous for all.

Jon Wright July 18, 2019 (10:29 am)

If you find the area around the Westwood Village Transit Center so distracting, feel free to slow down.Regarding the bus stops on California, the buses stopping don’t make it dangerous for all; the drivers who can’t be bothered to wait and insist on passing buses illegally make it dangerous.