South Seattle registered two fatal pedestrian accidents Thursday morning, causing longer commutes for many traveling north on State Route 509 or East Marginal Way South.
The first deadly collision was reported around 5:30 a.m., it involved a 32-year-old pedestrian who jumped across a barrier just moments before the accident. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the accident blocked all northbound lanes of SR 590 south of the First Avenue South Bridge. No other injuries were reported.
Second Pedestrian Accident Slows Down Traffic
At about 7:14 a.m., the second deadly crash occurred in the same area.
Officials stated that another accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle took place on East Marginal Way South at Ellis Avenue South, just north of Boeing Field. Due to the accident, drivers who were using the road as an alternate route following the first collision were stuck, causing a major traffic delay.
SR 590 northbound lanes were reopened around 8:40 a.m. while East Marginal Way South was reopened at about 9:07 a.m., police said.
Pedestrian Accidents On The Rise
Seattle has seen an increase in pedestrian accidents in the past couple of years. Despite the growing incidents, safety advocates say, city and state officials are not doing enough to meet their own traffic safety goals.
As the state of Washington continues to struggle with increasing traffic woes, residents complain that drivers are traveling faster than ever. However, speed alone isn’t the problem. Residents also claim that construction sites make it difficult for pedestrians to navigate certain Seattle streets.
Until officials are able to take on more projects that will hopefully make roads safer for pedestrians, drivers must do everything they can to ensure they are following the rules of the road to avoid any injuries.
Never speed, drive while distracted, or drink and drive. Pedestrians are vulnerable and drivers who fail to follow traffic rules and ignore speed limits put their lives in danger.
For more on the two South Seattle pedestrian accidents reported last week, follow this link.
