FOLLOWUP: West Seattle’s 4th pedestrian death of 2019 confirmed

Though the woman hit by a driver at 42nd/Oregon last Wednesday was initially described as in stable condition, she has died. That was initially reported by a commenter and we’ve confirmed it today; SDOT, which tracks collision data, says SPD notified them that the crash was fatal. That would be the 4th West Seattle pedestrian death this year. SDOT’s Vision Zero coordinator Brad Topol replied to a citizen inquiry and also forwarded the reply to WSB with this summary of the police report:

Based on a witness statement from a southbound driver (not involved in collision) a pedestrian was crossing midblock south of the 42nd Ave and Oregon intersection. The pedestrian was crossing from west to east and entered the roadway between two parked vehicles. The pedestrian was struck by a northbound driver traveling at a “reasonable speed” (20-25 mph estimated by witness).

This year’s previous three fatal incidents were all in July:

-July 26, Jefferson Square parking lot (victim was 93-year-old Dorothy Wright)
-July 15, Admiral Way near 57th (fatality confirmed via SDOT, though victim was never publicly identifie)
-July 3, SW Barton by Westwood Village (victim was 78-year-old Josefina Quimson)

So far as we can find in court records, only one of those incidents has to date resulted in a citation, the one in Jefferson Square, for “failure to yield right of way when backing up,” resulting in a $136 fine. The SW Barton driver was arrested for suspected DUI but to date has not been charged.

10 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle's 4th pedestrian death of 2019 confirmed"

  • DRW December 3, 2019 (2:50 pm)

    So sorry to hear this. Love to her family and friends. Still waiting for flashing crosswalk signals at the Westwood/Barton transit hub crosswalk. Whats up SDOT?

    • Lagartija Nick December 3, 2019 (6:59 pm)

      Flashing lights there can’t come soon enough! Just today I went through there and someone stepped into the crosswalk from between two buses. Even going only 15 mph I couldn’t stop in time. Thankfully I was in the opposite lane so no close call, but it easily could have been. I parked at Target and went over to check if I’d missed the flashing lights (or if the pedestrian hadn’t used them) but there aren’t any there at all! What good is that crosswalk if the buses obscure people trying to cross? Put a flashing light there already SDOT!

  • Apey December 3, 2019 (3:58 pm)

    My heart goes out to this woman’s family and also to the driver. It is very hard for a driver to be prepared for a pedestrian suddenly stepping into traffic from between parked cars. Be safe everyone. ♥️

  • Mj December 3, 2019 (4:25 pm)

    Sad situation all around

  • Justme December 3, 2019 (4:29 pm)

    I was almost hit stepping out between parked cars recently. The car was a blue Tesla and they make no sound at all unless they drive over debris or leaves, which is why I assumed it was clear. So sorry to hear about this!

  • Cecilia A Palao-Vargas December 3, 2019 (5:07 pm)

    Vision “Multiple”?

  • Jim Ellis December 3, 2019 (6:58 pm)

    How awful!  I don’t know what it is about that block but I’ve had a couple pedestrians walk out into the street mid-block in front of me. They seem to come from the parking lot on the west side of 42nd.

  • Matt P December 4, 2019 (8:58 pm)

    This is why I always trying to find an intersection where I’m clearly visible to cars when I need to cross and there’s no light or stop sign.  Now that it’s dark early, I’ve started going one extra stop on the bus to a light and walking a little extra to be even safer.  Sad that it’s necessary.

  • Guy December 7, 2019 (5:18 pm)

    It’s just a matter of time before someone gets hit at 44th and Alaska.

  • Karen December 7, 2019 (8:57 pm)

    This is the second evening while waiting in the southbound curb lane on California at the walk-all-ways to make a right turn onto Alaska a clueless pedestrian walked in front of my SUV long after the pedestrian light ended.  Please, people!  You may not care if I don’t see you when I have a green light but it will ruin both of our lives if you are run over.   

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