(SDOT camera image from Twitter)
2:05 PM: A big emergency response for a collision is blocking the California/Edmunds/Erskine intersection. Updates to come.
2:22 PM: We just got there and the scene is now clear, street reopened, SPD tells us via email that a pedestrian was taken to Harborview after being hit by a driver. We’ll check with SFD on their condition.
3:22 PM: SFD says the person who was hit is a 66-year-old man, in stable condition when transported.
Looks to be clear now. I’m just half block south and they’re letting traffic thru.
I’ve noticed over the years that drivers turn right on red despite a sign prohibiting it on CA to Erskine/Edmunds and pedestrians don’t obey the walk signal. Numerous requests to SPD for enforcement here and a block north at CA/AK have resulted in z e r o.
I know at least one person that got a ticket for that right turn, and I’ve personally witnessed a cop pull over someone that did a right at the CA/AK intersection, so it does happen, but there has to be a cop there at the moment it’s happening. In terms of ‘worth the time/any effect’ – if you really want traffic enforcement, you either need to advocate for more police that can spend their time watching intersections, or advocate for traffic cameras, like over on 35th and Thistle (I think). Cameras would make the most sense, but at the end of the day, probably wouldn’t do much besides create a little revenue off the intersection. If you really want some kind of enforcement though, start pushing Herbold, etc., for something like that. I do like the Walk All Ways idea by Jeepney – I wish more intersections were like that.
Automated camera enforcement is regulated/restrained/constrained/made a joke by state laws. Another way the rural Repubs own the Seattle libs.
I really don’t like that 5 way intersection. Would like to see it become an “all walk” signal like at California & Alaska.
This intersection also drives me nuts as a pedestrian. I think it would work far better as an all walk. Whom do we message to advocate for this? I’m uncertain.
I submitted an NSF project suggestion for this but SDOT scrubbed it from the competition.
It’s so terrible to try and cross on foot! If you don’t try and skirt across against the signal on at least one crossing as a pedestrian you will usually wait 3-5 minutes to get to the opposite corner because they have to let everybody have their turn one at a time. I totally understand why somebody would not want to bother with the signal. Pedestrian use should be prioritized in our cities and an all walk is a great way to do it. 👍
I also agree regarding SW Edmonds. I hate waiting at that little triangle on the SW corner. All walk would be safer.
I was at the intersection and the guy was trying to cross mid-street to the 7-11. I felt really awful for the man who hit him because you don’t expect people to be crossing at that point but people do all the time. Just sad all around. Hope everyone is ok.
I see people doing that all the time, often crossing from the nail shops by Courtesy Tire to 7-11 because they don’t want to walk to the crosswalk at the corner. Absolutely horrible spot to be doing this with all the parked cars and two lanes of cars at the light. Hope the gentleman is okay.
That’s a horrible place to try to cross the street mid block. So dangerous. I feel for the driver, too.
I also noticed this on my drive home when it happened. The man that crossed the street seemed to have started walking through the street not the crosswalk. Either way hope both parties are ok
I’ve crossed that intersection on average twice a day for the last 17 years. I heartily endorse the all-way intersection idea.
that was my dad who was hit…do we know who hit him? did he stop? was it a hit and run?
Sorry to hear that, hope he is healing. The scene cleared before we even got there, so there were no police/fire left to ask, and I only have what little we have from asking the SPD media-relations office. Perhaps one of the witnesses will comment,
I heard that the pedestrian did not make it. I am so sorry for the families loss.
I don’t have a name so verifying is going to be difficult – if you or anyone reading this knows, and can email us, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.
They guy that hit him tried to run but we got his lisence plate and people stopped him from getting away the police did question him. I hope your dad is okay.
Imagine hitting a 66-year-old man with your stupid car and the only thought going through your head is, “oh my gosh, what might happen to me?! I better run away like a coward!”
So here we have so many commenters empathizing with a driver who tried to flee the scene and are blaming the pedestrian for crossing the street. Yep, that’s West Seattle alright. No, I don’t jaywalk there but I have been very frustrated waiting for the light to turn, only for cars to run the reds and bully me in the crosswalk.
I have noticed that many more more pedestrians appear a lot more emboldened (as cyclists, scooters, ebikes, etc. seem to be) and don’t seem to be aware of or care about traffic. Not laying any blame here as I don’t believe most motorists (myself included) don’t want to hurt anyone but when they just pop out it can be difficult to avoid. What about sharing the road? With cars. As I’ve said many times before, the laws of nature trump the laws of man. (Ooooohhhh, I said trump!). Hope the person is OK.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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