February 19, 2011 in News, City

Elderly woman struck in crosswalk

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An elderly woman is in critical condition after being hit by a truck while crossing the street about 12:28 p.m. today.

The woman, who has not been identified, suffered non-life threatening head injuries in the collision and was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, said Ofc. Tim Moses, a Spokane Police Department spokesman.

The driver of the truck was turning south from Spokane Falls Blvd. onto Browne Street when, according to witnesses, he failed to yield and hit the woman in the crosswalk, Moses said. She was crossing Browne Street westbound on Spokane Falls Blvd.

The driver, who has not been identified, has not been cited.

Eight comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  misjustice on February 19 at 4:20 p.m.

  I was in my car, immediately behind the driver of the white pick-up truck that struck the pedestrian.

  I had seen the woman (which in my mind was NOT elderly) walking west on Spk Falls Blvd., followed by a group of young men. The light was red, and I was stopped behind the truck waiting for the light to turn. I knew the pedestrians were there, to my left. The light turned green, the pedestrians had the Walk signal.

  I saw the woman step off the curb, as the truck moved forward. One second I could see her head above the hood of the truck, the next second I could not see her and thought that she’d either walked quickly, or ran, through the crosswalk. The driver of the truck braked quickly, and it was then that I realized that I did not see her because she’d been struck by the white pick-up truck.

  I slowly started to pull around the truck; other pedestrians quickly went to the aid of the woman. I asked if anyone had a phone, because I had mine and was going to call 9-1-1. A man at the woman’s feet was already on the line to 9-1-1 so I drove a block south on Browne, parked my car and returned to the scene.

  By the time I’d returned, emergency personnel were on scene. People from the Travel Lodge had brought towels to help stem the bleeding. Other citizens were comforting the victim and trying to keep her warm and stable until emergency personnel arrived. I do not know how/where the woman was injured but did witness a lot of blood.

  The driver of the truck, an elderly white man, remained on the scene.

  I gave my account of what happened to the police along with my contact information, as did many others.

  I was impressed and truly touched that so many people rendered aid to the victim, were willing to come forward as witnesses, and even, as one brave soul did, direct traffic at the intersection around the accident; prior to the police taping the scene off.

  I hope that the woman is going to be okay.

  And I hope that the driver of the white pick-up truck is too; he seemed in shock. And I’m sure that he felt awful about the accident.

  That is a dangerous, terribly designed intersection; and the location of several pedestrian involved accidents.

• 

  zelda on February 19 at 4:35 p.m.

  @misjustice — Thanks for the first-hand account. Not a good day for anyone there, that’s for sure, but comforting to know there are so many Good Samaritans willing to help.

  I agree. That is a ghastly intersection. So much going on with vehicle traffic that pedestrians become an afterthought. Riverside and Division is a doozy as well.

• 

  maria on February 19 at 4:54 p.m.

  Holy carp MsJ! That sounds horrible. Hope you’re okay, too.

• 

  monkeyman on February 19 at 9:02 p.m.

  MsJ. I was wondering - what kind of truck? Because a “truck” cam mean a wide variety of vehicle sizes. Thanks.

• 

  Misty on February 19 at 10:35 p.m.

  Misjustice, thank you so much for your post here and for being there for my Aunt. She is currently in the hospital and we are praying for her. It is great to hear your account of the accident and to know so many people came to her aid. I know she must have been terrified. If there are others who want to share their story about this incident today, please feel free to contact us - 509-981-3889. Thank you to everyone who was by her side!

• 

  misjustice on February 20 at 10:57 a.m.

  I didn’t note a make/model of truck because I was so concerned for the pedestrian that I didn’t think to look. From what I recall it was a large, newer model (could have been a Chevy but not sure). What I am sure of is that there was a large flat black brush guard mounted on the front bumper (looked similar to those on the front of cop cars). And it seemed very high off the ground. I know that’s not much help but it’s truly all that I can recall.

  Misty, I hope that your Aunt will make a full recovery. I feel so awful about her being harmed; had a fit-full night as images of her crumpled body filled my dreams. What a horrific accident for her to endure. Grown men were weeping for her.

  Since the article has not been updated, I hope that Misty or another family member could let us know how she is.

• 

  refman50 on February 20 at 6:59 p.m.

  Misjustice:

  Thank you so much for your valuable witness statement and coming back to give the info to the officers. I am Debra’s brother. We just left the hospital and she is in intensive care. She incurred a fractured skull, some bleeding in the brain, 3 broken ribs, and mulitiple contusions etc.

  She was awake but heavily sedated. The prognosis is good but guarded at this time. I believe she is still considered in critical condition.

  The vehicle was a 2007 Chevy C2 PU, possibly a Silverado. I just want to thank everyone from her family for the prayers, good wishes, and those that came forward to give their account a huge thank you. You are true heros and should be commended. It is so easy nowadays just to walk away from these types of events. Thank you. If anyone else has an accounting of exactly what happened, please feel free to contact me at 926-2016 h. Thanks again.

  Bob West.

• 

  misjustice on February 21 at 4:55 p.m.

  Bob, thanks for the update on Debra’s condition. She has been in my thoughts and prayers (and dreams) since the incident. I am relieved to hear that the prognosis is good.

  What happened to her is a painful reminder of how a person’s life can change in an instant. One minute she was briskly walking in the sunshine, as I observed her from my car I thought that she looked happy, the next minute she was struck and terribly injured.

  Kind regards to you, to your sister Debra, and your family. I will continue to hold you all in my thoughts and prayers.