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One of the first days of inclement fall weather has left Lynnwood with
a couple tragic incidents.
The first incident:
An Edmonds woman, who turns 19-years-old tomorrow,
was seriously injured after she was struck by a black Honda while crossing 68th
Avenue West, in a marked crosswalk in front of Edmonds Community College in
Lynnwood. The woman, who was on her way to class at about 7:30 a.m. today, is a
student at the college. Witnesses observed the woman being thrown about 75 feet
- leaving her shoes, book bag and papers strewn about the wet road. The
woman, who was wearing all dark clothing, was transported to Harborview Medical
Center by Lynnwood Fire Department Paramedics with critical injuries. The
driver, a 22-year-old Lynnwood man, is being detained pending further
investigations. No one else was in the vehicle. There are no indications that
drugs and/or alcohol contributed to this collision. While it was dark and
raining, the crosswalk at this location is lit by a streetlight. Police closed
68th Avenue West for approximately an hour for preliminary investigations. Lynnwood Police Accident Reconstructionists are still investigating.
The
second incident:
A local 43-year-old woman crossing 66th Avenue West at about 10:50 a.m. today
was seriously injured when she was struck in a marked crosswalk by a red Honda
driven by a young female. The pedestrian, who was reportedly talking on a cellular phone while getting
some exercise along the Interurban Trail, was hit by the car when she was
crossing in a crosswalk on 66th Avenue W., near 214th Street SW. on the border
of Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. Lynnwood Fire Department Paramedics
transported the woman to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries. While three other cars had stopped for the pedestrian, the 18-year-old Brier
woman applied her brakes but wasn’t able to stop in time. She was alone in the
car. All lanes of traffic on 66th Avenue West from 212th to 216th Street SW in
Lynnwood were closed for about 90 minutes for preliminary investigations. There are no indications that drugs and/or alcohol contributed to this
collision.
Anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents and haven’t spoken to
police should call the Lynnwood Police Department’s traffic section at
425-744-6900.
Unfortunately, these incidents are after several months of crosswalk safety
emphasis and education programs coordinated by both the Lynnwood Police and Fire
Departments.
In three separate crosswalk stings, the Lynnwood Police Department has issued
nearly 100 failure-to-yield infractions to drivers who failed to stop for
pedestrians at crosswalks. The Lynnwood Police Department will continue to
increase driver awareness of pedestrians and educate pedestrians about the
safest ways to walk and cross.
Tips to reduce the likelihood of injury involving pedestrians:
- Pedestrians shouldn’t assume that the driver sees them, even if they see
the driver.
- Pedestrians and drivers should make eye contact before crossing the
street.
- Pedestrians should always try to walk on paths or sidewalks. If there
are no sidewalks or paths they should walk facing the street traffic.
- Use crosswalks.
- They should wear bright colors or reflective materials for greater
visibility, especially in the dark or during inclement weather.
- Drivers should be sure their windshields are completely defrosted and
clear of all obstructions before driving.
- Drivers and pedestrians should always use extreme caution when walking
and/or driving while using a cell phone and/or walking with headphones on.
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