Pedestrian recovering after being hit by driver at 35th/Thistle

We’ve gotten a lot of questions about this incident around 7 am, with erroneous information circulating on social media, so for those who’ve asked, we wanted to let you know that the pedestrian hit by a driver at 35th/Thistle is recovering. We’ve also heard from one of the first people on the scene, Jesse:

This morning, while I was waiting at a bus stop on 35th just north of Thistle for the northbound 21 a pedestrian was struck by a car while crossing 35th at approx. 7 a.m. This happened at the northwest corner of 35th ave SW and SW Thistle st.. The driver stopped, I called 911, several of us waiting at the bus stop attended to the pedestrian, who was awake and alert. Paramedics and SPD showed up a few minutes later to help the pedestrian and question witnesses and the driver. … I wanted to let you know in case it’s worth posting on WSB and mostly to build awareness for pedestrians and cars to be careful during the morning commute. It’s still dark at 7 am and unfortunately it’s too easy for drivers to not see pedestrians, even when they’re in a crosswalk.

A few of the people we heard from were worried the pedestrian had died because they saw the victim under “a tarp.” That’s an emergency blanket used at incident scenes. SFD tells us the pedestrian is a woman in her early 40s, in stable condition when transported to the hospital by AMR ambulance.

anonyme February 3, 2026 (2:25 pm)

The crosswalks at 35th and Thistle are all controlled. Unless the pedestrian crossed against the signal, there is no way that the incident was her fault, even if it was a turn on red situation. It would be nice to have clarification on that point. Speaking of turns on red, signs prohibiting this practice have been posted at multiple intersections in the last few months. However, the walk signal and the green light for cars still change at the same time, rendering the signs completely and utterly useless. Yet another expensive failure in the Zero Vision program.

Amy February 3, 2026 (6:16 pm)

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All intersections are legal crosswalks so it doesn’t matter if the pedestrian crossed against the light.
- Odd son February 3, 2026 (7:00 pm)
  
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  That’s not what the rcw states. It states pedestrians must obey all traffic control devices. It’s very important to get the understanding spread wide because so many people don’t obey traffic control devices. It’s safest when everyone is on the same page. RCW 46.61.050
  In Washington State, pedestrian traffic control devices are governed by RCW 46.61.050, which mandates that pedestrians must obey any official traffic control device unless directed otherwise by a traffic or police officer.Key points include:
- redfolder February 3, 2026 (7:07 pm)
  
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  First, I hope the pedestrian recovers completely.Second, I wonder who had the green light.Third, RCW46.61.050
  - presumption February 4, 2026 (7:33 am)
    
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    Drivers aren’t a helpless automata who have to hit people with their cars when the light turns green. The speed limit is low there and visibility is good.
- KBear February 3, 2026 (8:40 pm)
  
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  Traffic signals do in fact indicate whether pedestrians have the right of way, Amy
K February 3, 2026 (8:46 pm)

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It doesn’t matter if there’s a leading pedestrian interval or not for the « no turn on red sign » to be effective. They’re independent of each other, and both proven effective methods for making intersections safer.
- anonyme February 8, 2026 (11:35 am)
  
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  If we’re talking about facts and not wishful thinking, neither work very well. This morning I was nearly run over by a vehicle making a right turn on red at a signed intersection, and three more vehicles followed him. The problem now, as always, is the Seattle attitude that laws are optional, as well as a lack of enforcement.
presumption February 4, 2026 (7:36 am)

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Signs are traffic control devices and seem like pretty cheap ones compared to changing light timing.
D February 4, 2026 (11:41 am)

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From my understanding a pedestrian as right-of-way regardless.

Alki resident February 3, 2026 (3:21 pm)

Please ask for a meal train once you get home to recover. Would like to help

RM February 3, 2026 (9:32 pm)

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Thank you for being so thoughtful Alki Resident! I dropped a big care package of easy grab meals and snacks over at her house this evening. Luckily she has a lot of people helping her right now!

WS Pedestrian February 3, 2026 (5:46 pm)

I catch the bus there around the same time. There are always kids and others crossing the street to get to bus and school. I’ve stood at the bus stop and watched people dive out of the way because a driver didn’t stop before a right turn. Please slow down.

Lauren February 3, 2026 (7:57 pm)

So very sorry for the woman who was hit and hoping for a simple recovery. (It’s never easy but hopefully simple!) To the person who witnessed this, I’m also sorry. I’ve seen pedestrians hit by cars and it sticks with you. I hope you give yourself some TLC too.

HS February 3, 2026 (8:04 pm)

How scary. That’s my neighborhood and I walk around there all the time. I hope her recovery goes well.

RM February 3, 2026 (9:27 pm)

The pedestrian is my dear friend. She is doing ok and is now recovering at home. She is lucky it wasn’t worse. Thank you so much to all the kind people who stayed to help her.

Kathy February 3, 2026 (10:01 pm)

This is why the WA State legislature needs to pass House Bill 2095. If this victim needs to seek damages from the driver, the burden of proof is on her that they owe her civil damages. There are implications for who’s insurance pays. It’s not that easy to do in a court of law, especially if you have head trauma or are killed and your survivors have to deal with it. HB 2095 would make the driver who hit the pedestrian in a crosswalk presumed liable (with the ability to rebut). Our state has strict liability for dog owners if their dog injures or kills someone, but we do not even have rebuttable presumed liability for the driver of a huge vehicle that injures or kills a vulnerable user in a bike lane, crosswalk or sidewalk. Many other countries have such laws, but Washington would be the first state to pass it in the US. If you support passing HB 2095, please send a note of support to your legislators here: HB 2095 Washington State Legislature

Jort February 4, 2026 (1:11 am)

The fact that it’s “still dark at 7 am” and “it’s too easy for drivers to not see pedestrians, even when they’re in a crosswalk” is probably a good reason why drivers should obey the legal speed limit of 25 mph on 35th, instead of acting like it’s an unconstitutional infringement of their civil rights.

Kerry L. February 4, 2026 (9:31 am)

So sorry for this awful experience and glad she is doing OK. Thanks to everyone who stopped to help her.

I was almost run over with a little dog last week, in a crosswalk with right of way, by a driver who tried to make a right on a red without even looking. It’s not the first time I’ve had to leap out of the way to avoid being crushed, along with a dog, while in a crosswalk with the right of way.

Chuck February 6, 2026 (9:51 pm)

Too many people speeding in Fauntleroy. There are always people speeding 40+ miles an hour down Fauntleroy Place SW despite numerous 20 mile/hour signs and traffic cones. That small street has no sidewalks or speed bumps yet frequently has people walking with their kids or dogs. Only a matter of time until someone else gets hit.

Brian O February 8, 2026 (1:36 pm)

35th is a speedway. Thistle is a speedway. I’ll wager $1000 that if you stood at the corner of 35th and Thistle and counted 100 cars go by, >50 of them would be going over the speed limit, and an even greater number than that would be driving and looking at their phone. Of that number, I bet another $500 that 10 of them are driving and using their phone with two hands. Thats the world at the corner of 35th and thistle. I’ve been living here for a long time and that just how it is. Now, let’s get back to the real issue here; our presidents name yielded 1,800 hits in the Epstein Files. His name was used more than words like “the”, “and” etc. Sleep tight Seattle.