A Mill Creek woman suffered a possible broken arm after she was struck by a vehicle around 6:30 p.m. in a downtown Edmonds crosswalk Saturday, Nov. 27.
According to Edmonds Acting Assistant Police Chief Josh McClure, the woman and a friend had just left a restaurant and were walking north on 5th Avenue South. The two were crossing the street at 5th and Walnut Street when one of them was struck in the crosswalk by a northbound vehicle as it turned left from 5th Avenue onto Walnut.
The vehicle’s driver, a Bothell woman, told police she didn’t see the pedestrians in the crosswalk.
The Mill Creek woman was transported by ambulance to Swedish Edmonds Hospital.
Because there were no third-party witnesses to the incident, police were unable to determine who was at fault based on conditions at scene, McClure said. As a result, no citations were issued.
I find it interesting and alarming that the police were unable to find fault when she was hit IN A CROSSWALK.
Ralph — hoping that Asst.Chief McClure can weigh in with a better explanation when he has a moment. My understanding is, it has to do with the fact that pedestrians and vehicles each have responsibilities in terms of crossing at intersections, and without witnesses, there wasn’t a way to determine who was responsible. — Teresa
Why wasn’t the injured woman’s friend (they were crossing the street together) considered a third-party witness?
I was hit from behind by a car while walking in thePCC parking lot.
There was even clear PCC video of this incident.
The EPD investigating officer made excuses for the driver and did not cite the driver to my amazement..
I was almost Tboned at that intersection. 4 way stop and vehicle going north on 5th breezed right through the stop sign. Maybe a flashing red light? And it’s dark earlier now. Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists and wear seeable clothing!
There may not be overhead flashing red lights along 5th Ave, but I believe there are flashing red lights on all of the stop signs.
Yes, I agree wear reflective clothing after dark. Also, make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
I know some drivers speed in Edmonds. However during rain and especially when it is dark, that is no time to wear dark clothes and cross a street.
was hit by a car in same situation on my bike. Driver’s guilty. fine em to the max
If you are in a crosswalk and are hit by a vehicle, the vehicle driver is responsible, and the law is clear about that. If a pedestrian runs out from between parked cars into a crosswalk, then the driver would not be responsible. Of course, pedestrians should always exercise caution when entering a crosswalk,, especially in downtown Edmonds! I walk through that intersection nearly every day and I regularly see drivers roll through the stop or completely ignore it. BTW, emergency room physicians see more broken necks nowadays resulting from pedestrians being hit by trucks and other vehicles that are high off the ground, because of the location of the impact on the body…..so, careful out there.
Many pedestrians seem to feel they are “bullet proof” because they have the right away. They dash into the crosswalk with careless abandon, often looking at their phone.
5th & Dayton and 5th & Walnut are especially busy, and even the most careful driver has a lot to keep track of. Vehicle traffic from 3 different directions, some waiting to turn or waiting for pedestrians to cross. Throw in darkness, rain and headlight glare and it can be dangerous. Even during daylight hours, the afternoon winter sun’s low angle can be blinding.
I’m always extremely careful at these intersections, but it sure would help if pedestrians would look up before bounding into the crosswalk.
Blinding headlights combined with dark clothing…recipe for an accident.
I grew up where pedestrians always had the right away no matter what. And yet as children we were taught to look both ways, make eye contact with the driver, don’t expect them to stop even if it’s the law, don’t assume they see you, and to always wait until it’s safe. Oh and always wear reflective or light clothing when it is dark out. As drivers we were also taught to be aware of people everywhere. Children chasing a ball that might get away from them, people standing on a curb waiting to cross, and anyone else who might get in your way. I think if you hit someone who is in a crosswalk it kind of is your fault. Or so it would seem . . . .
I find the worst traffic pedestrian problem is at Main and 5th. People walking do not look around they step out into traffic and expect the cars going around the fountain will see them. Pedestrians cross every which way looking at their phones with wild abandon. Truly makes me cranky. Yes I will always stop for a pedestrian but give me a break if I’m starting around the circle and you step out not paying any attention to traffic what do you expect to happen?
At least the fountain slows down vehicle traffic enough to save clueless pedestrians from getting mashed routinely. That’s the best thing I can come up with about the artsy, smartsy Edmond’s fountain. If we were a little less “selling” Edmonds oriented , we would remove the fountain, put in a four way overhead stoplight and crosswalk timers which would make a lot more sense with all the congestion down there. Instead we will probably turn downtown 5th and Main into a fountain oriented walking park, catering to the entertainment industry. That is where we are headed. I can almost guarantee the streateries and walkable Main are here to stay, so we might as well get used to it. You can’t turn back “progress.”
The legal “Right of Way” can become very complicated. It can include a trip to the hospital and/or funeral parlor.
The”Right of Weigh” is simple and full-proof, no exceptions.
As a pedestrian, regardless of what you are wearing or weather conditions, I highly encourage the assumption that unless there is eye contact – assume you are invisible, always!
So the moral to this story is that if you are going to be hit by a car while walking in a crosswalk in Edmonds, you should always have at least one neutral witness to verify that you were there first. Otherwise, please stay home. We don’t need you making our city look bad by getting yourself flattened in one of our crosswalks. Can you please point me to the nearest outdoor dining/drinking room, I need a couple beers for some Christmas cheer. I’ll have to drive to and from, though, because it’s obviously not safe to walk around here anymore.
I’m glad I kicked off this thread and I have a couple of take-aways. One is that all black clothing seems to be the fashionable uniform of pedestrians at night in Edmonds. They’re blissfully almost invisible, and have many have pointed out they need to more aware and alert. That being said, the Edmonds downtown is supposed to walkable, but as Chris Ruthrauff has pointed out the intersection at 5th and Dayton and 5th and Walnut are very busy. To this I’d add 3rd and Dayton. Drivers in the core often seem in a hurry when a little calm patience is called for. It’s a real matter of concern that too many drivers don’t stop, don’t wait their turn, or don’t give pedestrians the right of way. And thank you to ones who do.
Well put Mr. Sanders. Another prime example is the two way stop at 8th. and Bell near FAC. This should be a four way, just to slow the vehicles speeding into town, if for no other reason. I’ve stood thru as many as three cars until one stops to let me cross. Many cars are speeding down Main there.
City police are short handed and need some help. Maybe it’s time for some sort of volunteer citizen crossing patrol or paid part time civilian traffic crossing guards like the schools have. Once staffing is up to par, maybe the police should get out of their cars and walk beats downtown and trouble spots of 99 areas. Bike patrols would be great. We need to FUND the police better while we are on the subject.
Correction. Meant 8th. and Main.
Pedestrians and bike riders should always (always, always) have reflective devices on board while out and about. A small investment for a set of reflective gloves, a hat, patches added to clothing, a vest or harness. You need to be seen and even a yellow or pink rain jacket can look exactly like a grey street in the wrong light.
Car drivers should always (always, always) not hit any pedestrians or bicyclists with their car. A small investment of time and attention, better headlights on your car, or correctives lenses. You need to see the people using the public spaces you’re driving your car in. Even a yellow or pink jacket can look grey in certain lights. What a person is wearing does not in any way excuse a car driver for hitting them with their car.
Jeremy – 100% correct that the onus is on the drivers. I’ve evaluated and treated several patients injured in these types of cases, and in my mind anything that might help prevent the collision is worth discussing because the resulting disability is often substantial. Any accident that is avoided and reduced to only a close-call because the driver was alerted to a reflective device, is a good result.
I always wear a Hi-Viz vest or clothing while going out to dinner… especially at night! It really complements my eyes and creates a nice sheen on my cheeks when cars drive by.
If I were struck in a crosswalk by a car and the police said no fault could be determined, I would be enraged. Were there no video cameras that might have captured the. accident? America has lost its mind. Lies are regarded as truth. Objective, tangible data ignored. Adult fairy tales abound. Citizens heckle you for wearing a medical face mask during a global pandemic. Sure. Makes sense in New America that Crosswalks offer pedestrians zero protection. Instead, try carrying a large rifle. That’s why we have the Second Amendment.
I didn’t see the pedestrian in the crosswalk is right up there with ” I didn’t know the gun was loaded your Honor.” I think our police are just overwhelmed now and only ticket the worst possible situations. Contested tickets can end up with police court time that is difficult to absorb when badly under staffed to begin with. I have no inside information; just guessing here.
In other words, it’s the Wild West (again) and we all better learn to fend for ourselves. This is an unfortunate outcome for our community, but it is certainly true for our whole country. I truly never thought my “golden years” would be spent worrying about adequate policing, rising inflation, severe climate change and the take-over of our democratic institutions – but here we are. Don’t bother posting replies about how we are on a better path now, everyone can see that’s not true. What’s the old Chinese saying – or perhaps it’s a curse – “May you live in interesting times”
Chris Cantu, you speak truth. And it is sad.