Kirkland Police responded to the intersection of N.E. 116th St. and 100th Ave. N.E. on a report of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. The call came in shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 and officers arrived to find a man in his 30s conscious with head injury.
The driver of the vehicle was a seventeen year old male who was shaken but not injured. The driver was turning right onto northbound 98th Ave. N.E. from westbound N.E. 116th St. The driver stated he received a green signal and began to turn right when the pedestrian was hit in the marked crosswalk.
“I believe the area was properly lit but rain fall was very heavy at that time,” said Lt. John Haslip of the Kirkland Police Department. “Visibility was low, which could have contributed to the accident.”
No signs of impairment were observed in the driver and he was cooperating fully with the investigation. The Kirkland Police Traffic Unit was on scene and conducting the investigation.
“It doesn’t appear there was alcohol or excessive speed or negligence,” Haslip said, but notes there is a possibility the driver could face a traffic infraction.
The pedestrian was transported by AID Unit to Harborview Hospital. He is reported to have possible fractures to his skull, pelvis, and ribs.
“We’re at the time of year where it gets dark early, use extra due care and caution when you’re in the vicinity of a crosswalk or intersection,” Haslip said. “When you’re crossing the street use caution and where some type of brighter clothing. It’s hard to see when pedestrians where dark clothing.”
Haslip said the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident.
For more information about the investigation, please contact Sergeant Bryan McNaghten Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3493 or bmcnaghten@kirklandwa.gov.