Pedestrians were struck by cars in two separate incidents within hours along Madison. We’re still gathering details on the incidents and will update as we learn more.
, police and medics responded to a car vs. pedestrian incident just after 6a at Madison and Minor on First Hill. We have no information jet on injuries but SPD called investigators to the scene to evaluate the driver for impairment. UPDATE: SPD says no signs of impairment. See update, below.
just before 5p, a man using a walker was struck while crossing the street near Madison and 17th Ave in front of Trader Joe’s. We don’t know specifics of the man’s injuries but we’re told he was transported by an AMR private ambulance indicating his injuries were not life threatening. We’re checking with SPD to find out more about the crash.
UPDATE: SPD has posted their brief on the Monday morning incident. We’re hoping to have more from Seattle Fire on both incidents soon. SFD says they did transport the victim in the Monday morning incident to Harborview.
On December 19th, at approximately 6:11 am, a 91 year old man was crossing Madison Street mid block near Minor Avenue when he was struck by a pick up truck travelling westbound on Madison. The man was treated at the scene by Seattle Fire Department Medics and transported to Harborview Medical Center. He sustained injuries but they are not considered life-threatening. The driver of the truck was evaluated at the scene for possible impairment, but it was determined that the driver displayed no sign of any impairment.
Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) responded and began their investigation. This remains an active and on-going investigation.
More proof that Madison desperately needs a middle turn lane east of Broadway or at least east of 12th, which would make this street function more smoothly for cars and world’s safer for pedestrians.
*worlds
Agree… E Madison St needs a major road diet. It’s a nightmare for pedestrians and bikers. It would be a joke if it wasn’t a tragedy. Small businesses and development are growing quickly along the street and this is only going to get worse.
Madison and Union are both pedestrian nightmares .. rarely does anyone stop for pedestrians w/o being compelled by a traffic signal. I’ve been legally in the cross walk at 17th and Madison an am shocked by the number of rolling right hand turns coming from Madison … it’s crazy. I’ve lived near by for over 12 years and have no memory of seeing any drivers being ticketed.
I agree. Road diet that sucker! Make it a three-lane section with a middle turn lane and bike lanes. Only problem would be transit service would suffer, but I’d be OK with that.
They need to get rid of those 3 or 4 parking spaces just west of the McDonald’s on Madison. They’re “no parking” until after 6, then they screw up traffic afterwards as cars have to merge back in. For what, a few lousy spaces? It’s not worth the problems they cause. Get rid of ’em!
You said it, Jim! Those parking spots by McDonald’s are a headache for everyone, including the buses. I’ve lived in cities where a 4-lane road was converted to a 2-lane with a middle turn lane, and the flow/safety/noise were all improved. I’d like to see this happen over on 23rd as well, the most narrow, scariest pedestrian frogger spot in the city.
Madison & 17th does have a lot of problems. In the 2+ years we’ve lived here we’ve heard a number of accidents, some fender benders and some more serious. It’s rather common to hear a screech of tires and then wait for the crunch that often follows. Many people come up over the hill from Madison Valley too fast and hit cars turning. I agree also, there are many rolling turns heading towards Trader Joes which make the crosswalk dangerous. I’ve had near misses several times there as well as in the Madison Market Co-op driveway. Last week in the same walking trip I nearly got hit in each of those locations.
We heard the accident at 17th and Madison last night, it sounded awful, but didn’t actually see it so can’t say what happened. Fortunately the guy was moving his hands when he was loaded up into the ambulance so hopefully he’s ok. There were people everywhere instantly trying to help and the response from fire, police and ambulance were very quick.
Madison is so bad they’ve needed to hire two crossing guards for 6 months to stand at the unmarked crosswalk on 18th. Ever try getting a car barreling up or down the hill to stop for you there?
I will say that the road diet by parking down between 12th and 13th is not great for bikes — either risk the door zone, or chug slowly up the hill in front of frequently-rabid motorists.