Spokane7
49°
August 13, 2010 in City
Relay runner in serious condition after U.S. 2 accident
Fire officials not notified in advance of relay
A relay race runner was in serious condition this afternoon after being evacuated by medical helicopter to Providence Sacred Heart Hospital after being struck by a car on U.S. Highway 2 at Colbert Road this morning.
Robin Johnson, 44, of Spokane, the relay participant, was crossing the highway when the accident occurred.
She was participating in the Spokane to Sandpoint relay race today, an event that will continue throughout the night and Saturday morning across Spokane, Kootenai and Bonner counties with dozens of teams involved.
She reportedly suffered a broken leg and scrapes, but was showing no signs of head injury, a race spokesman said.
Emergency crews from Fire District No. 4 were on the scene of the accident that occurred just before 8:20 a.m.
Traffic was stopped temporarily while the helicopter landed to make an evacuation.
The Washington State Patrol said that Johnson failed to yield right of way at the intersection and was struck by a 1998 Subaru Legacy driven by Madilyn K. Young, 16, of Newport. Young was headed south at the time and collided with Johnson in the roadway.
Troopers said that Johnson would be cited for failure to yield.
The relay began this morning at Bear Creek Lodge on Mount Spokane and the course was taking participants west toward the Little Spokane River on its first set of relay legs.
The course continues to Nine Mile Falls and then up the Spokane River on the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene. From there, it returns to the Huetter area and then northward to Silverwood Theme Park, Athol, Newport and Sandpoint. The race was planned to go through the night tonight and into Saturday morning, according to the relay’s web site.
Fire officials said they had not been notified in advance of the race, and would prefer to work with race organizers to help ensure safety of participants as well as a quick fire response in case of an accident.
The race spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the issue of notification.
Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
Albert on August 13 at 11:07 a.m.
Reckless, insane, lack of basic judgment are the best words that I can come up with on this disaster. Hwy 2 in this area has a posted speed limit of 55, or 60 mph and is a major highway. WHO gave the “authorization” for this “relay”? This unfortunate injury could have been eliminated with some common sense on the part of the “official” who granted this permit. No excuse for this lack of safety planning. I feel sorry for the drive and the relay victim, however this could well have been avoided.
misjustice on August 13 at 11:19 a.m.
Did race organizers have flaggers or others posted to help race participants cross roadways?
I live near the Centennial Trail, and when there are races volunteers as well as police personnel are posted on Mission Street to control traffic so racers can safely cross the roadway.
It also seems that driver inexperience could have contributed to this accident. Another news organization reported that the driver of the car was only 17 years old…
Albert on August 13 at 11:49 a.m.
“Officers say the woman was attempting to cross the highway when she was hit by a 17-year-old driver.
A MedStar helicopter was called to the scene and airlifted the woman to Sacred Heart with serious injuries.
Officers say the driver was not at fault because there was no crosswalk.”
mikep on August 13 at 1:49 p.m.
The story has been updated through the day to indicate the age of the driver as 16, plus the names of those involved and a condition for the injured runner.
Dan_at_Avista on August 13 at 5:52 p.m.
I’m currently running this race w friends from Avista. I know the thoughts and prayers of myself and fellow runners are w Robin. It makes us all take pause. Get well soon.
JBlim on August 13 at 9:57 p.m.
“Troopers said that Johnson would be cited for failure to yield.”
Pedestrians should always get the right of way.
monkeyman on August 13 at 10:02 p.m.
“JBlim on August 13 at 9:57 p.m.
Pedestrians should always get the right of way.”
…I think you need to visit the site of the incident. Would you also like to cross the I-90 where ever you wished to?