A man was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Edmonds’ Highway 99 in the 23900 block Thursday night, Edmonds police said. The man, who was staying in an Edmonds motel, was taken to Harborview Medical Center but was determined to have no serious injuries, Edmonds police spokesperson Commander Josh McClure said.
The pedestrian was running across the roadway just after 8:15 p.m. Thursday when he was struck by a minivan driving southbound, McClure said. The woman driving the minvan swerved in an attempt to miss the pedestrian but was unsuccessful, he added.
There were no indications of excessive speed or impairment on the part of the driver, so no infraction was issued, McClure said.
This area of 99 is downright unsafe with at least three similar instances in the last two years and the intersection of 238th and 99 is a nightmare on a daily basis (just adjacent to where this happened). This intersection and stretch of 99 have to be one of the most if not the most dangerous locations for drives and pedestrians in all of Edmonds. I drive it multiple times daily and at least once I day I have to slam on my breaks or swerve out of the way, usually taking my kids to school.
Any where on Hwy 99 is unsafe . People need to learn how to use cross walks at the streets with signals . From Seattle to Everett via Hwy 99 I just can’t imagine how many people are hit by crossing Hwy 99.
Stay Safe
I personally hit a pedestrian there a few years ago while attempting to pull into traffic on hwy 99. In my defense this person was wearing all dark grey, hood up, talking on the phone, and stepped in front of a car poised to get into traffic. The patrons of the no-tell motels are not known for following rules, so scampering across a seven lane highway without a light or crosswalk seems perfectly reasonable. Self-preservation isn’t even considered.
Even properly using the crosswalk, left turning drivers ignore a ped and many don’t bother using turn signals … it’s time to get police video and recording this unlawful driving behavior and ticket offenders with really big fines.
I have been noticing more pedestrians wearing reflective clothing, and when I’m driving during dusk or darkness it really is helpful. I still see pedestrians and drivers not doing exactly what they should in order to prevent contact and injury, I do think it’s improving. There are some lighting enhancements that may help higher risk crossings, and I hope Edmonds planners are aware of these newer features.
We need to remember that regardless of right of way, pedestrians still need to look both ways, proceed with caution – and maybe even put the phone aside for a moment. Reflective clothing after dark is also a good idea.
I see a lot of pedestrians simply walk out into the street without looking, glued to their phones, often emerging from behind a parked car onto the crosswalk. Caution works both ways!