The Seattle Police Department’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is investigating an accident that left a 90-year-old man with life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon. The man was crossing East Republican in what the city calls an ‘unmarked crosswalk’ when he was struck by a car driven by an 89-year-old man.
The intersection of 17th and Republican is one of those traffic flow curves that prevent east-west flow on Capitol Hill sidestreets. The 90 year old who was hit was reportedly crossing Republican when he was struck by the car as it made the right hand turn through the curve toward 15th Ave.
The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the 90-year-old pedestrian to Harborview Medical Center with a life-threatening head injury and possible other fractures. Responding officers determined there were no signs of any impairment or intoxication on the part of the driver.
I walk and bike regularly through that area and people historically drive *way* too fast through there (and the intersection of 16th/e harrison). It was only a matter of time. The curve has low-visibility but since there’s no parking on it, people seem to speed up around the curve.
I do hope the pedestrian is ok. When will the city realize that these streets in this area in particular are used by as many if not more pedestrians and cyclists as they are cars?
An “unmarked crosswalk” exists at every intersection, and drivers really need to acknowledge that peds have the right of way if they’re standing at the intersection. Even here on 12th Ave (N of Pine), I’m amazed at how many drivers will swerve around a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk rather than stop.
I think most people don’t know the law says they are supposed to stop at unmarked crosswalks. I encounter it all the time especially crossing 12th. Some drivers look in disbelief that they actually have to slow down or even stop.
I walk by there daily and have actually never seen anyone taking the corner too fast…not to say it doesn’t happen but don’t think it should be described as the norm either. Other places, like 12th, are far more difficult to cross. So sad to hear of this accident and hope the man makes it through okay!