UPDATE: Woman hit by driver has died, family member says

(Photo sent by Ian)

2:26 PM: Seattle Fire says a 75-year-old woman hit by a driver near the Junction 7-11 was in critical condition when medics took her to the hospital. We don’t know anything about the collision beyond that it happened around 9:45 am and was dispatched as “vehicle versus pedestrian – severe impact,” as police had cleared the scene by the time we heard about it (thanks to Ryan for the tip) and went there. Archived emergency-radio audio did not yield any further details aside from the first SFD unit telling others that though the dispatch was to an Edmunds address, the scene was on Erskine. We’re attempting to find out more from police but might not be able to get followup information until Monday.

5:35 PM: An SPD spokesperson tells WSB, A pedestrian was crossing at the 4300 block of Erskine Way SW, and she was struck by a vehicle traveling slow speeds. The driver didn’t commit any crimes, and he was released at the scene.”

SUNDAY PM: A family member has confirmed that the victim died today. (added) Also, we are told the age provided by SFD was incorrect – she was 83 years old.

anonyme November 19, 2022 (3:02 pm)

Meanwhile, SPD “reiterated that there’s no Traffic Unit in SPD any more”. Just because a criminal is behind the wheel of a car that they are using as a weapon does not make them any less a criminal, or the crime a lesser one – and therefore easier to dismiss. It is still criminal activity that affects public safety and must be treated as such. People are literally dying on our streets and SPD does nothing but whine. If they can’t do enforcement, then the Mayor needs to create a new enforcement body that will. The horrible and dangerous conditions that we are experiencing on our streets are the direct result of a lack of enforcement – no matter how many speed bumps, crazy signs or pretty pictures SDOT paints on the pavement to distract drivers even further.

star 55 November 19, 2022 (5:57 pm)

The law was passed last year not or pursue traffic issues. Make your voice hear this year!!
- WSB November 19, 2022 (8:00 pm)
  
  To be clear, the pursuit law does not affect all traffic issues, and as already pointed out, it wouldn’t be relevant to a case like this. And if you listen to the scanner, particularly at night, you will even hear officers making traffic stops. But for anyone interested in the pursuit law, here’s the full text:
  https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.116.060
Al King November 19, 2022 (6:01 pm)

anonyme. PLEASE read WSB’s 5:41pm comment. As you seem to claim this was criminal intent please share your FACTS concerning this accident. Clearly you witnessed it??
- anonyme November 20, 2022 (6:05 am)
  
  Several things: first, since facts are important to you Al, there is no “5:41” comment by WSB. Second, my comment at 3 pm was not specific to this case, but a generalized view of the state of our streets due to the lack of law enforcement – an opinion I am fully justified in expressing with or without knowledge of a specific incident, and also without mob approval. For those of you who obviously find your own views superior, why not use those special skills to come up with a solution? BTW, the SPD quote was taken directly from a very recent WSB article; it is their assertion, not mine, that there is no traffic unit in SPD.
flimflam November 19, 2022 (6:20 pm)

Wow. Your borderline hysterical post is null and void reading the update.
Rhonda November 19, 2022 (7:04 pm)

This wasn’t a speeding driver doing anything illegal. The report says the driver was travelling slow, stayed at the scene, and was released. This case has nothing to with speeding, dangerous driving, or any lack of SPD enforcement of traffic laws.

Gay November 19, 2022 (4:09 pm)

May she recover soon. This is hard news to read.

flimflam November 19, 2022 (4:18 pm)

Oh no, “severe impact”? Terrible. I hope she’s going to be ok.

Neighbor November 19, 2022 (4:46 pm)

The victim is a family friend. Please, if anyone witnessed this hit and run, or picked up any evidence of belongings of our friend, PLEASE contact the police. Her status isn’t known yet.

WSB November 19, 2022 (5:41 pm)

Police did respond to me and did not describe this as a hit-and-run – they said the driver was released at the scene as he did not commit any crime.
- Neighbor November 19, 2022 (7:26 pm)
  
  At the time I wrote my comment, the victim, our friend, was alone at Harbor view. We (friends and neighbors) were piecing together the story based on talking to anyone who had learned anything at the time. Clearly, there’s an update. I’m relieved to hear it was a terrible accident and the person who hit our friend was driving slowly. You’re being kind of a jerk. I asked for information about my friend who was hurt, and you’re telling me “look at this information, you idiot.” If I had known at the time, I wouldn’t have asked. Duh. Time has moved on. You arrived at the scene when there was updated information. Hooray for you. My friend is in the hospital. Have some compassion.
  - Resident November 19, 2022 (9:19 pm)
    
    You may be upset and not in a good state of mind bu don’t take it out on WSB. They were just stating the facts. They were not being jerks.
    - Neighbor November 19, 2022 (10:36 pm)
      
      I apologize to the WSB. I meant to reply to Al King who was unnecessary. The WSB is a vital part of our community and we go away back. I hope they forgive the error..
Al King November 19, 2022 (6:09 pm)

Neighbor. Please read WSB’s 5:41pm comment. PLEASE call the police as you have proof and evidence this was a hit and run..

Junction Lady November 19, 2022 (5:12 pm)

Having stood at all of those corners many times I realize how hazardous it can be especially on the small exposed island…one feels like a target for vehicles. I recall it was discussed to have this intersection at Cal/Edmunds be WALK ALL WAYS like Cal/Alaska. I think that would help and we could eliminate the cement island.I hope she is okay after being hit by a car.

HS November 19, 2022 (7:59 pm)

I too am a frequent walker. Sometimes it can take people a bit longer to cross the street, for a variety of reasons, leaving them still in the street when the lights change. I hope that she is able to recover and be just as sprightly sooner versus later. And I imagine this was also traumatic for the driver, so I hope that they are okay as well. Thank you for staying as you may have been the person to call the paramedics.
- B November 20, 2022 (4:01 am)
  
  We all got to do it together yall! As a pizza delivery driver using side streets constantly….I get it. I go slow af on roundabouts, I pause extra for pedestrians (that I can see!). But from experience….when I say work together….pedestrians need to know, w all the glare and feedback….you are just a black silhouette on the side of a road we’re driving in. Half the time, I can’t see a pedestrian unless my lights are on your body. So please, take caution and realize we ARE trying to see you…

Anne November 19, 2022 (5:39 pm)

Prayers for this woman.

Mj November 19, 2022 (5:51 pm)

Junction Lady – the unfortunate incident did not occur at the intersection, the address noted is 4300 Erskine Way that is southwest of the 7-11 driveway.

K November 19, 2022 (6:38 pm)

That’s not the address where it occurred, it’s the “block” where it occurred, per WSB.
- Mok4315 November 19, 2022 (7:56 pm)
  
  As witnessed by my coworkers at Uptown, this happened right between the coffee shop and 7-11. The pedestrian stepped out from between two parked cars and it appears did not see the incoming vehicle.

Scubafrog November 19, 2022 (6:00 pm)

I hope she recovers soon. What a sad thing to read. Good energy, and positive thoughts for her, her friends and family in this difficult time.

my two cents November 19, 2022 (6:49 pm)

interesting to read the comments – so many opinion-statements made without the actual knowledge of the situation. here is to all of you adding on to your posts now that you have a better sense as to what did happen, and what did not.

David B November 19, 2022 (8:17 pm)

Thank you for pointing out people who have no first hand knowledge of the incident are nevertheless offering their opinions. Opinions which are worthless.

Junction habitant November 19, 2022 (8:25 pm)

It’s saddening to hear that the person hit is in a critical state. I hope she’ll feel better. I got out of my home just when it happened a minute ago. From a couple feet away I saw that there were people helping and the car (that probably hit the person) was stopped. It didn’t seem like a hit and run, but more like an unfortunate accident. Please if you didn’t see the scene, don’t speculate. This intersection is dangerous. I see everyday people crossing at red light and cars turning at red, or even crossing the Uptown Parking lot to avoid the traffic light.

Kathy November 19, 2022 (9:58 pm)

Sunday is World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims. There will be a memorial gathering in the foyer of City Hall Monday morning at 9 am. 189 pairs of shoes will be placed on the steps representing the number of people killed on our streets since Seattle announced its commitment to Vision Zero in 2015. In addition to the deaths, countless people have been injured in crashes on our streets. I hope very much that the woman who was hit survives and is able to heal.Seattle World Day of Remembrance Memorial

Kathy November 21, 2022 (9:32 am)

Banner updated to memorialize this womanSo tragic, now the number is 190. As a senior, I know our reflexes, eyesight, ability to judge distances may not be equal to the average person. We still deserve to safely walk to our destinations in this city. Drivers need to be hyper vigilant.

Michelle November 19, 2022 (10:30 pm)

I was one of the people there this AM. Do we have any word on how this poor woman is doing? Sending positive healing vibes!

wssz November 20, 2022 (4:04 am)

I’ve never felt safe crossing the west side of that intersection and avoid it. Southbound drivers on California can’t easily see pedestrians crossing Edmunds until they’re halfway into their turn. My heart goes out to the poor woman who was so badly injured and the driver who stopped after he realized what he had done and is probably deeply traumatized and haunted by this.

JJ November 20, 2022 (5:17 am)

They really should just make this another all way crosswalk like the junction.

Kathy November 20, 2022 (11:10 am)

I submitted a Your Voice Your Choice proposal to do this, but it was rejected, maybe to not incovenience drivers and due to lower pedestrian activity at the time. If SDOT would improve pedestrian safety and reduce pedestrian wait times to get through this intersection, maybe people would be less tempted to take short cuts. It would also allow people biking to cross safely during the walk cycle from one safe side street to another (44th/42nd). The intersection should definitely be re-evaluated for safety.
- B W November 22, 2022 (2:58 pm)
  
  Agreed. This intersection takes forever as a pedestrian. Can’t always resist the temptation to jaywalk.
AdmyrlByrd November 20, 2022 (12:17 pm)

But if the comment is correct by the person whose coworkers witnessed it, this isn’t about an all-way crosswalk. If she emerged between two parked cars, she was either not using a crosswalk, or the cars were egregiously parked.
- bill November 20, 2022 (1:32 pm)
  
  Highly likely she avoided the intersection because it takes so darn long for the signal to cycle. Signals need to be reprogrammed to respond promptly to pedestrians.

KM Lusignan November 20, 2022 (11:16 am)

Someone in our congregation has just posted that this woman passed away. So very sad. Condolences to her family.

flimflam November 20, 2022 (2:32 pm)

Oh no, so sad. Sorry to hear.

Mj November 20, 2022 (12:35 pm)

JJ – the unfortunate incident did not happen at the signalized intersection.

WSCurmudgeon November 20, 2022 (12:54 pm)

This 5 way intersection is a dangerous one for vehicles and very dangerous for pedestrians. I try to avoid it and am very vigilant when walking there. However, the problems with the traffic and pedestrian controls at the intersection are not highly relevant to this particular event.

As Mok4315 notes above, quoting eyewitnesses, the woman stepped out from between 2 parked cars, not at the intersection, but on Erskin Way between 7-11 and Uptown Espresso. SPD did not cite the driver, who stopped.

In Dec 2019 a woman was killed on 42nd Ave SW between Oregon and Alaska Sts after stepping into the street from between two parked cars. The driver in that incident wasn’t cited either

WSB November 20, 2022 (1:35 pm)

We now have conflicting reports on the woman’s condition so we won’t update anything further until we can confirm officially. – TR

D November 20, 2022 (3:37 pm)

The woman who was hit has died. She went unconscious at the scene and died due to brain injury today (Sunday) at noon. Her daughter was with her at the hospital when she died, and the dog she was walking when she was hit was found uninjured and is with family. This is a family member posting.

WSB November 20, 2022 (5:52 pm)

We are so sorry to hear that. Thank you for the update. – TR
wssz November 20, 2022 (9:28 pm)

D: I am so very sorry for your family’s loss, for the woman, and for the driver. This is profoundly sad for everyone.
K November 20, 2022 (9:36 pm)

I’m so so sorry for your loss.