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One hit as car in Pike/Broadway collision crashes onto sidewalk — UPDATE: DUI arrest

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(Images: @CheeToS_ via Twitter)

(Images: @CheeToS_ via Twitter)

One person was injured when a car was sent careening onto the sidewalk at Pike and Broadway in a multiple-car collision just after midnight early Monday.

Blocks around the scene were shut to automobile traffic while Seattle Police investigated the 12:11 AM collision.

We do not have any details on what lead to the crash that caused the car to end up in front of the Harvard Market QFC. All details at this point are from police and Seattle Fire radio dispatches. The streets of Pike/Pine were still busy with late night revelers and the QFC was open and full of shoppers at the time of collision.

The victim was taken to the hospital by a friend and was reported to have suffered a leg injury after being struck by the car.

UPDATE 5/27/14: According to SPD reports on the just after midnight incident, the driver of the car that ended up on the sidewalk and struck the pedestrian was taken into custody for investigation of DUI and assault after he allegedly punched or pushed a bystander attempting to keep him from leaving the scene.

SPD investigators report that the limousine-style vehicle that ended up crunched against QFC was being driven south on Broadway toward E Pike when the driver told police he sped up “trying to beat the light.” Police say the driver ran a solid red light and struck with the second car before veering onto the “very crowded” sidewalk “full of bar patrons” in front of the northeast entrance of the Harvard Market QFC.

The car struck at least one person as she stood on the sidewalk. The female victim suffered a leg injury that was treated at the scene by Seattle Fire before friends took the victim to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The driver in the other vehicle was not seriously injured.

According to the report, a bystander saw the driver of the limo-style vehicle get out of the car following the crash and attempted to stop him thinking the man might be preparing to flee. The driver then allegedly pushed the man but officers had already arrived on the scene.

Police say the driver smelled of alcohol and had red and watery eyes. He was arrested and booked for suspicion of drunk driving and assault.

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Dave
Dave
9 years ago

These Uber drivers are out of control! I was there last night. Dude was crazy.

Dave
Dave
9 years ago
Reply to  jseattle

He ran from the cops, and was pretty much ready to fight them. He looked hammered. Some people were saying he just flipped out and peeled out in the shell parking lot. That was right before the crash.

Brooke Steger
9 years ago

Based on the information received (driver’s name), the driver of this vehicle is not a partner on the Uber system.

Note that not all black cars, including town cars, in Seattle are on the Uber platform.

– Brooke Steger, Uber Seattle GM

Lonnie Burdine
Lonnie Burdine
9 years ago
Reply to  Brooke Steger

Brooke, I don’t see where the driver’s name was mentioned in this article. What information did you “receive” and how?

You are correct that “not all black cars, including town cars, in Seattle are on the Uber platform.” The black Towncar pictured in this accident does have an orange airport permit in the lower left corner of the windshield, indicating it is a for hire limo.

onthecotrary206
onthecotrary206
9 years ago
Reply to  Brooke Steger

I also am curious as to what information you have received as far as a name goes. Nothing here states the name. Who was your source? I see several Uber cars nightly on the hill driving unlawfully and without full coverage (referring to UberX not yielding to passengers and just general indecisiveness).

Iluvcaphill
Iluvcaphill
9 years ago

That said, Brooke, I am nearly run over several times a weekend by uber drivers who are seemingly unaware that EVERY intersection in Washington state is a crosswalk. Uber drivers aggressively push through the marked and unmarked crosswalks on pike/pine and pretty much ignore pedestrians in the residential areas. It’s only a matter of time before a Seattle uber driver murders a pedestrian just like the uber driver in San Francisco did to that six year old child. And like every good corporation they showed how little they care about anything except profits.

Max
Max
9 years ago
Reply to  Iluvcaphill

Hmm, I’m not aware that all non-Uber drivers abide by all traffic laws. On a daily basis I see hordes of non-Uber drivers staring at cell phone screens instead of the road, going through red lights and stop signs, cutting off each other, pedestrians and cyclists, etc.

I suppose the fact that Uber employs drivers means as a company they have an opportunity to educate, but I don’t see what they would do that’s above and beyond requiring people to follow traffic laws and maintain their driver’s licenses.

Perhaps every driver (Uber and not) should have a “How’s my driving?” bumper sticker (and front sticker) with a phone number to allow reporting of violations which could possibly affect insurance rates.

If (some) truckers have those, why not everyone? Of course, that would require those who observe driving issues to report them, so if pedestrians are too busy staring at their own cell phone screens, it’s a lost cause. I’ve even seen delivery truck drivers on their cells (eyes not on the road) while driving on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.

I think it is missing the big picture to focus on Uber. The issue is all drivers, pedestrians, etc., eveyone who shares the road (and sidewalks and everything). It’s a lack of civic responsibility and encouraging business to have responsibility is fine, but not if you don’t also encourage everyone to care and show it.

This is not how I pictured transportation in the year 2014 (nor did old movies about the future). Because it’s about people.

iluvcaphill
iluvcaphill
9 years ago
Reply to  Max

I can only speak to my own experience. My experience is that where I walk most people pay attention and stop for me once I step off the curb as is required by RCW. However, UBER cars almost never do and in fact on the Pike/Pine streets between Broadway and 12th they often will inch into the MARKED crosswalks and push their way through the pedestrian traffic illegally. And yes UBER cars are very easily identifiable as they have the logos in the lower left side of their windshield.

In fairness the Car2Go drivers are also guilty of this and are major hazard. Especially on the residential streets.

Jim98122x
Jim98122x
9 years ago
Reply to  Max

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but I expect that anyone who drives professionally for a living should have impeccable driving habits. Not “average”. Impeccable. “They’re no worse than your average driver” isn’t good enough. Saying “lots of drivers do that too” isn’t good enough. I drive a Metro vanpool, and let me tell you– if I got a couple of speeding tickets or moving violations, it’s *gone*. I’m sure Uber expects the same highest standards of their drivers. If they don’t, they should.

MarketGoods
MarketGoods
9 years ago
Reply to  Jim98122x

The thing is, if anyone was to run over and kill a 4 year old girl like Uber in SF, there is accountability. Weird that anyone would defend Uber after their shitty denial of any responsibility.

Max
Max
9 years ago
Reply to  MarketGoods

If it in fact an Uber car wasn’t at all involved, then how is the company saying that a “shitty denial of responsibility”?

The issue I have is focusing on one company instead of looking at the driving situation as a whole. If a cab gets in an accident, is it because cabs are horrible? If Uber cars are involved in more accidents than other types of cars, could it be a factor that people are more likely to use Uber at night? Do people drive different in Car2Go because they are hurrying to get somewhere to save money? Last i checked, pretty much every driver is hurrying to get somewhere in Seattle.

I personally think cars in general are incredibly dangerous, people can get licenses with very weak driving skills, there is little enforcement of traffic and pedestrian violations, and also, that accidents still happen even with good drivers and everyone following the rules. I think every driver should be held to a high standard, not just Uber drivers.

Should there be specific training for carpool drivers, Uber drivers, Car2Go, cab drivers? Yes because those are points of contact with drivers who want to take on certain roles (making money, commuting, etc.). So it’s an opportunity to bring up that standard. Does Uber budget for that? Do any of them? I don’t know. Should they, I think so, on a moral level. Plus all those drivers may drive other cars in a non-commerce way. An Uber driver is a driver, not on the clock all the time.

But should DMV hold all drivers to similar high standards. Yes. Absolutely.

It’s comforting to focus attention on a car service that has a name. The real threat are motor vehicles in general and an near uniform lack of urgency around driver education, not to mention safety elements being required to be built into cars more.

P.S. Did any car accidents occur on Capitol Hill before Uber, Car2Go, ZipCar, etc.?

P.P.S. To the person commenting on how Uber cars are clearly marked, good. I was discussing (and proposing for all cars – Uber or not), a number to report that driver. I suppose that number already exists in a general precinct number and the ID exists as well (in a license plate). So what I’m discussing is about people holding themselves and their community responsible for using the roads better. The reason I’m spouting off so much about this is because I realize I have all this pent up outrage as people texting and driving. I’m absolutely horrified by it. Not that they’ve all careened off the road. It’s just a sign of lack of responsibility, of a selfishness and lack of focus that does not bode well as Seattle grows.

iluvcaphill
iluvcaphill
9 years ago
Reply to  MarketGoods

The shitty denial of responsibility was regarding the uber driver that murdered a six year old girl in San Francisco and uber’s response was basically to tell her parents that it wasn’t their problem.

calhoun
9 years ago
Reply to  Max

A significant decrease of safety on our streets is definitely a downside of the “digital revolution.” With everyone….drivers and pedestrians alike….staring at their smartphones and texting, it’s a setup for more accidents, not to mention the epidemic of muggings and cell phone thefts.

Civic Space
Civic Space
9 years ago

Clearly what was missing here was carved granite street art such as a camel, or even simply a big fat bollard with mass enough to keep the car from crashing into a building and threatening pedestrians. We would be happy to consult with any vulnerable tenants, property owners, or insurance companies.

Physics. It can befriend you, or it can imperil you. Please be situationally aware at all times to the best of your ability.

seattlenative
seattlenative
9 years ago

Are there any updates on the drivers identity?

NT
NT
9 years ago

Man, you are right…uber should be taken off the street. Their drivers are WAY too dangerous. Instead, lets just have all the people that are drunk that take uber out on the roads. That would be WAY better.

onthecotrary206
onthecotrary206
9 years ago
Reply to  NT

Yes, because Uber is the only solution to driving people around. Also, putting thousand of un-insured vehicles on the road is a brilliant solution. You’re clearly a person of a genius revolution.

bb
bb
9 years ago

I see a rise in disregard for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks around here. Lots of impatient and aggressive drivers who are willing to risk a life in order to arrive a few seconds earlier.
Not to mention all the drunks out there who are killing people every day.

Max
Max
9 years ago
Reply to  bb

I see that increased disregard for pedestrians too. I never have counted on any driver to see me and give me whatever right of way I’m supposed to have at that moment. I’ve noticed so many lately turning into the active crosswalk (wrongly timed, pushy right or left turns through crosswalk), and they do see me but they hold up one hand like “whoopsie, thanks, hiya” all cutesie and passive aggressive. They act like I voluntarily encouraged/invited them to drive through the active crosswalk I was using/attempting to use because I’ve stopped. Well of course I’ve stopped walking (however suddenly I have to in order to avoid being hit).

Plus it’s not safe to shout at a driver or otherwise call them out. They are either long gone or can get angry fast. I don’t go out in that Pike/Pine clubbing area when super crowded with cars and people. I can see how that would be more opportunities for epic fails. I too encourage driver and pedestrian awareness. And not a blame game (except when deserved), but personal responsibility. I just don’t see a shared civic value happening. I wish someone would promote it.

calhoun
9 years ago
Reply to  Max

Regarding your advice not to shout at a driver who is acting illegally, I agree. It’s always been interesting to me how people, who know they are in the wrong, react defensively and angrily when called out. A better reaction would be a simple “sorry!”.

sweeneyjude
9 years ago
Reply to  calhoun

i do encourage yelling screaming giving them the finger and kicking dents in their cars

trackback

[…] crash follow-up: The City Attorney tells CHS it is not pursuing a case against the driver in Monday’s early morning collision that sent a limo careening into a pedestrian on the busy sidewalk at Pike and Broadway. A female […]