Seattle, Washington – Pedestrian Killed After Getting Struck by Vehicle Involved in Rollover Crash

Seattle, Washington (August 6, 2019) – A woman was killed when an SUV  involved in a rollover crash struck her at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Alaska Street on Tuesday morning. The victim was found trapped underneath the SUV, which had flipped onto its side. Medics attempted lifesaving efforts on the scene, but the victim was soon declared dead. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The accident happened around 7:30 a.m. The circumstances of the crash has not been determined, but it appears that the SUV was struck by another car during the morning rush hour. The SUV rolled over, hitting the victim who was walking nearby when the accident happened. The accident caused all northbound, westbound and eastbound lanes to be blocked, with the southbound lanes of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South closed at South Oregon Street. Investigation on the crash is ongoing, but it has been determined that neither driver was impaired when the crash occurred.

About Pedestrian Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion to the friends and loved ones of the victim. Unfortunately, as shown in this case, pedestrians are at also risk while on the streets, with the National Center for Health Statistics estimating 7, 450  pedestrian deaths in 2017. Pedestrian accidents can fall under traffic or non-traffic depending on the location where they were struck. Traffic incidents happen on public roads, while non-traffic incidents occur on non-traffic areas such as driveways, parking lots and other private property. Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban settings, on urban roads (72%) versus on intersections (18%), and mostly at night. Much like motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents can happen simply because people are not as visible as other vehicles, a problem which is worse during night. And in an event of a car crash, similar to motorcycle drivers and passengers, the risk to pedestrians are greater than those inside a car, with fatality rate being 1.5 times greater than any car passenger.When it comes to risk, older adults, children, and alcohol-impaired drivers or pedestrians are at most risk in pedestrian accidents. The risk is further heightened in a situation where a vehicle is at high speed. Lately, distractions also cause accidents not only for drivers, but also pedestrians, specifically those who are using their phones while crossing the road. We urge everyone to exercise area awareness at all times and to keep their attention on the road. Avoiding accidents not only prevents loss, damage, injuries and death to one’s self, but also on other people in the surroundings.

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