Slog
News & ArtsFriday, March 13, 2009
City UW Professor Killed In Wednesday Morning Bike Accident
Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 5:11 PM
A University of Washington Asian Languages & Literature professor died Wednesday after she was hit by a car while riding her bike through Wallingford.
According to Seattle Police Department spokesman Mark Jamieson, police received a call at about 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday about a collision at the interesection of 1st Ave Ne and NE 56th St.
Jamieson says the UW professor, a woman in her 60s, was traveling southbound on 1st avenue when she was struck by a 37-year-old man in a Prius.
The woman—who we're not identifying—was taken to Harborview with life-threatening injuries, where she later died. The man was interviewed by police and released.
SPD's traffic investigation unit is handling the case. Police do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.
2
You didn't provide a reason for why you're not identifying the victim? Can you explain why? Generally, the reason for identifying the victim is to actually give a face to the victims of crimes or incidents - for their protection and the public good ... not to insult them. And when you withhold information -- when you willfully censor yourself -- you owe it to the public to explain why you're withholding the information, whether the public agrees with your withholding is another matter. But at least explain, please, or provide the information.
5
Google Earth shows it to be one of those fake roundabouts, with stop signs on only the 1st Ave side. Good call, @3.
6
Obviously, since the Prius driver was questioned and released, he didn't do anything wrong. Which means she did.
9
@7: You mean, as opposed to strung up by his balls, since there's absolutely no doubt he was at fault based on the copious amount of detail in this post?
10
#6, that's not true. If you're driving a car in this state, you won't get arrested for killing someone unless it was clearly intentional or you commit another arrestable crime, like driving backwards on the freeway or driving drunk. That's why we need to change the law.
12
This game where everyone waits to see whose fault it is so they can reinforce whatever previously held idea they have about cars vs. bikes is really, really boring. Shit happens. Ride like everyone is trying to kill you. Period.
15
@11 Unfortunately, the Prius doesn't make noise, so not wearing a helmet did not save her.
I've almost been killed several times by cars sneaking up behind me, but have heard their engines and been able to get away. Helmets take a sense that we've evolved over thousands of years and toss it away for a false sense of security.
Silent cars kill. Electric cars should have fake engine sounds. Or beep.
I've almost been killed several times by cars sneaking up behind me, but have heard their engines and been able to get away. Helmets take a sense that we've evolved over thousands of years and toss it away for a false sense of security.
Silent cars kill. Electric cars should have fake engine sounds. Or beep.
17
@15 - What the fuck does that even mean?
That not wearing helmets makes you safer?
What kind of helmet covers your ears and blocks your hearing?
I think you're already brain damaged.
That not wearing helmets makes you safer?
What kind of helmet covers your ears and blocks your hearing?
I think you're already brain damaged.
18
Why is it if someone is killed by a motorist the motorist just gets to go on about their life and their business without any need to answer for their crime?
19
15 is exactly correct. I've been a cyclist for 24 years, and I use my ears more than my eyes to ride defensively.
Prius's can kill easily because they are silent. There's no warning; they're just right there in front of you.
I've had several close calls.
Prius drivers: please be careful. We can't hear you.
15 is exactly correct. I've been a cyclist for 24 years, and I use my ears more than my eyes to ride defensively.
Prius's can kill easily because they are silent. There's no warning; they're just right there in front of you.
I've had several close calls.
Prius drivers: please be careful. We can't hear you.
20
@18 what crime? the cop should of killed the motorist? cyclists are never at fault? what are you saying?! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!!!!
21
15 and 19, you must be losing you hearing. Priuses (Prii?) make noise even when the engine is off. Tires on pavement, air displacement, I can hear them when they're coming up behind me, even with my headphones on.
And I wear a fucking helmet. No matter how defensively you ride, shit happens. I don't feel any false security with my helmet on, I am simply making a minimal hedge against the malevolence of the universe and my own fallibility.
And I wear a fucking helmet. No matter how defensively you ride, shit happens. I don't feel any false security with my helmet on, I am simply making a minimal hedge against the malevolence of the universe and my own fallibility.
22
A few people have made the point well. I'll explain it this was.
FIGHT TONIGHT! Car Vs Bike. In this corner we have the righteous eco friendly low carbon foot print, buffed legs and tight bodied bike rider! CHEEEERRRRSSSS.
AND in this corner we have the 2000 pound New Age CAR! CHEEEERRRRSSSS
DING DING.....Do I need to explain the rest of the contest?
FIGHT TONIGHT! Car Vs Bike. In this corner we have the righteous eco friendly low carbon foot print, buffed legs and tight bodied bike rider! CHEEEERRRRSSSS.
AND in this corner we have the 2000 pound New Age CAR! CHEEEERRRRSSSS
DING DING.....Do I need to explain the rest of the contest?
23
@19 the close calls mean you need to start looking for traffic! If "Prius's can kill easily" then you are certainly not riding defensively.
A fast bicycle can approach with very little sound also.
A fast bicycle can approach with very little sound also.
25
@6, drivers are always released when they kill cyclists, duh.
Police officer killed as bicycle rear-en… "the deputy said no citations were issued pending completion of the investigation."
Yep, even if you run over a cop on a bicycle you don't get a citation automatically. Bull-fucking-shit. How is "I didn't see him" a valid excuse? You most certainly should have seen the cyclist.
Police officer killed as bicycle rear-en… "the deputy said no citations were issued pending completion of the investigation."
Yep, even if you run over a cop on a bicycle you don't get a citation automatically. Bull-fucking-shit. How is "I didn't see him" a valid excuse? You most certainly should have seen the cyclist.
26
I drove by this unfortunate accident scene about an hour after this happened, while the police were still investigating. The Prius's front windshield was totally smashed in, but the bike was not badly mangled. It appears that the woman was hit broadside right as she came from behind the small traffic circle, and landed in the eastbound Prius' windshield.
If you look at the Google streetview here: http://tinyurl.com/priusbike56thSt , it gives a good understanding of the intersection. The view is looking south on 1st Ave NE, the direction the biker was riding.
She was hit in the southeast quadrant of the intersection.
Unless she was going really fast (and blowing the stop sign) the Prius would have theoretically had ample visibility (unless the sun was in his eyes, as he was heading east) to see her enter the intersection from the north on 1st Ave. I'm not placing blame, just offering my speculation as someone who drives on N. 56th St. daily.
If she wasn't wearing a helmet, it's pretty clear what caused her injury, from the looks of the Prius windshield. The bike she was riding was nothing fancy. It looked like one of those bikes you rent to ride around Greenlake.
If you look at the Google streetview here: http://tinyurl.com/priusbike56thSt , it gives a good understanding of the intersection. The view is looking south on 1st Ave NE, the direction the biker was riding.
She was hit in the southeast quadrant of the intersection.
Unless she was going really fast (and blowing the stop sign) the Prius would have theoretically had ample visibility (unless the sun was in his eyes, as he was heading east) to see her enter the intersection from the north on 1st Ave. I'm not placing blame, just offering my speculation as someone who drives on N. 56th St. daily.
If she wasn't wearing a helmet, it's pretty clear what caused her injury, from the looks of the Prius windshield. The bike she was riding was nothing fancy. It looked like one of those bikes you rent to ride around Greenlake.
27
"I can hear them when they're coming up behind me, even with my headphones on.
And I wear a fucking helmet."
Please don't wear headphones while riding anywhere near another human being. I hit a pedestrian this way.
And I wear a fucking helmet."
Please don't wear headphones while riding anywhere near another human being. I hit a pedestrian this way.
28
Priuses ARE quiet enough to be deadly. A Lady at my son's daycare WHOOSHED silently down the driveway backwards without even looking and nearly wiped me and my kid off the planet several times, I didn't notice her because I can't look in all directions at once.
We become accustomed to using our ears for input and we recognise danger by LOUD noises, not the sound of tires on the road.
It's just sad to think how many people and pets will be injured and killed before this is recognised as a problem and laws put into place.
We become accustomed to using our ears for input and we recognise danger by LOUD noises, not the sound of tires on the road.
It's just sad to think how many people and pets will be injured and killed before this is recognised as a problem and laws put into place.
29
This accident is sooo Seattle. Cyclist, Hybrid car, Asian languages & literature, Upper-class-liberal neighborhood, ...
30
Drivers are often not at fault in accidents yet they have to live with what has happened (a dead cyclist or pedestrian) AND they are the only ones required to have a license and insurance so they have to pay more (because of the big payout from their insurance even though they may not have been at fault), defend themselves through emotional, difficult trials, etc.
While most car/bike accidents I have dealt with were, indeed, the driver's fault in every fatality car/bike or car/ped accident the non-driver ran out in front of the driver or the cyclist was ignoring traffic controls and was in the wrong. In EVERY one of these cases the driver saw stuff they were not prepared to handle and felt a profound sense of guilt and anguish that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Before you bikers start, on a daily basis I see bikes and peds blatantly disregarding lights/signs of the serious variety (stop, don't walk). I see a lot more cars in operation day in and day out and I would say that while they might speed, might not wait as long as they should for a pedestrian or might not stop for a waiting ped it's a lot less frequent that they just plain blow red lights or go the wrong way on one-way streets.
If traffic controls are good for the goose, they have to be good for the gander as well.
Bikers, wear your helmet, put a light on your bike, and wait for the the green light. Pedestrians, cross in a crosswalk, when you have a walk (or green) signal and, for common sense, pay attention to the drivers to make sure they are paying attention back. It's amazing what eye contact and not tuning into your iPod can do for your health!
While most car/bike accidents I have dealt with were, indeed, the driver's fault in every fatality car/bike or car/ped accident the non-driver ran out in front of the driver or the cyclist was ignoring traffic controls and was in the wrong. In EVERY one of these cases the driver saw stuff they were not prepared to handle and felt a profound sense of guilt and anguish that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Before you bikers start, on a daily basis I see bikes and peds blatantly disregarding lights/signs of the serious variety (stop, don't walk). I see a lot more cars in operation day in and day out and I would say that while they might speed, might not wait as long as they should for a pedestrian or might not stop for a waiting ped it's a lot less frequent that they just plain blow red lights or go the wrong way on one-way streets.
If traffic controls are good for the goose, they have to be good for the gander as well.
Bikers, wear your helmet, put a light on your bike, and wait for the the green light. Pedestrians, cross in a crosswalk, when you have a walk (or green) signal and, for common sense, pay attention to the drivers to make sure they are paying attention back. It's amazing what eye contact and not tuning into your iPod can do for your health!
31
I still don't understand why you didn't name the victim. I guess you can do whatever you want, anyways.
32
what is with those "traffic circles", i constantly see people cut left around them when taking a left turn. is it because they are lazy or don't understand how they work? i've almost been hit because of cars doing this. they need those circular arrow pictures on the yellow signs.
33
...while they might speed, might not wait as long as they should for a pedestrian or might not stop for a waiting ped it's a lot less frequent that they just plain blow red lights or go the wrong way on one-way streets....
Of course, every now and then, they just run into someone and kill them.
Of course, every now and then, they just run into someone and kill them.
34
Keep bikes off roads. How many senseless deaths do we need to make this point. Roads are for cars and trucks.
35
@2 & 31: The press is probably waiting until they know the victim's family has been contacted, as is typical when someone dies in a newsworthy way. Even though this accident happened a couple of days ago, it's possible that the police haven't been able to get a hold of her family. I'm pretty sure the family's right to know is more important than yours, so be patient. Reading about this on the Slog would be a pretty terrible way for her family to learn about her death.
36
College guy in a German military uniform shot to death by police, identified. UW professor hit by a car while riding her bike, not identified.
I only wonder because that was my department, and I want to know if one of my teachers died. But I guess I could ask around.
I only wonder because that was my department, and I want to know if one of my teachers died. But I guess I could ask around.
38
Living 2 blocks away from this intersection, I don't see any reason why this car should have been going more than 25-30 mph. There are speed bumps and traffic circles. This is dubious. I would not be surprised if the car was going faster than he should have been.
39
"I've almost been killed several times by cars sneaking up behind me"
"Prius's can kill easily because they are silent. "
That's why God gave you eyes and a neck that swivels. If you don't use them, well, you get the Darwin Award.
"Prius's can kill easily because they are silent. "
That's why God gave you eyes and a neck that swivels. If you don't use them, well, you get the Darwin Award.
40
BTW, if you have a hard time hearing a Prius, do you now understand how we have a hard f*cking time seeing you?
41
21
You are so FUCKING FULL OF SHIT. You can't heat Prius's with your headphones on. WHY ARE YOU WEARING HEADPHONES???
I always wear a helmet. I had a life-threatening accident in 2001 that would have killed me were I not wearing a helmet. It wasn't with a car.
SILENT CARS KILL. Experienced cyclists use their ears to sense cars, not their eyes.
Don't let your environmental sensibilities get in the way of common sense.
I always look carefully, both ways, but my first line of defense has always been my ears. I rode in Boston for ten years, where all the drivers are trying to kill you. If it weren't for loud cars, I'd be injured or dead.
21
You are so FUCKING FULL OF SHIT. You can't heat Prius's with your headphones on. WHY ARE YOU WEARING HEADPHONES???
I always wear a helmet. I had a life-threatening accident in 2001 that would have killed me were I not wearing a helmet. It wasn't with a car.
SILENT CARS KILL. Experienced cyclists use their ears to sense cars, not their eyes.
Don't let your environmental sensibilities get in the way of common sense.
I always look carefully, both ways, but my first line of defense has always been my ears. I rode in Boston for ten years, where all the drivers are trying to kill you. If it weren't for loud cars, I'd be injured or dead.
42
didn't they start putting fake engine sounds on electric motorcycles several years ago because of this issue?
43
@32 -- It's legal in Washington to turn left at a roundabout instead of going around them to the right. The law is based on the fact that big vehicles can't maneuver around them the normally correct way.
I learned this when I read the driver's handbook in order to get my license after moving here. Also park 15 feet away from fire hydrants (I got that one wrong and now it's stuck in my head).
I turn left at roundabouts only if there is no other traffic. It saves hassle and time, especially since my power steering is gone.
I learned this when I read the driver's handbook in order to get my license after moving here. Also park 15 feet away from fire hydrants (I got that one wrong and now it's stuck in my head).
I turn left at roundabouts only if there is no other traffic. It saves hassle and time, especially since my power steering is gone.
44
UW just finished on Friday it's Ride in the Rain Challenge.
http://www.washington.edu/commuterservic…
I do ride to work and I did participate in Ride in the Rain, but at the back of my head I've always wondered if it was wise for UW to encourage employees to participate in what really is a dangerous activity. Not sure if this woman was a seasoned cyclist or not.
As for roundabouts. I always slow down coming up to them because cars whip around them rather quickly. It's a shame because it adds a lot of time to my commute slowing down and then speeding back up because of this sort of thing, but it's the only way on a bike.
http://www.washington.edu/commuterservic…
I do ride to work and I did participate in Ride in the Rain, but at the back of my head I've always wondered if it was wise for UW to encourage employees to participate in what really is a dangerous activity. Not sure if this woman was a seasoned cyclist or not.
As for roundabouts. I always slow down coming up to them because cars whip around them rather quickly. It's a shame because it adds a lot of time to my commute slowing down and then speeding back up because of this sort of thing, but it's the only way on a bike.
46
@43 -- I think you just lied to me Tizzle. I don't think there is a law or anything in the drivers handbook says it's okay to turn left at a roundabout or traffic circle. I think it says quite the opposite, "Inside the circle, always drive around the circle to the right." Even though neighborhood traffic circles aren't really roundabouts they are not distinguished as different in the hand book. But a Seattle transportation spokesman says it's okay sometimes, even though it's still against the law: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seatt…
I agree with #43 that cars go around them too quickly not taking the time to notice bicyclists that are already in the circle. Take a deep breath and slow down.
I agree with #43 that cars go around them too quickly not taking the time to notice bicyclists that are already in the circle. Take a deep breath and slow down.
47
@46 Nope, 'tis true, sadly. The WA State Driver's Manual illustrates this clearly, though ridiculous it is. Also, in the state's online prep course for getting your license, that question has appeared. You may turn left at a traffic circle without circling the circle, but I never do unless there is absolutely nobody around. Don't want to piss anyone off.
48
@47 Pat -- The online driver's guide must be out of date or I'm partially blind. I'll admit I'm probably wrong, but I'll still be on the look out for proof.
49
@ 16, 30, 41
YES, WEAR A HELMET!
So many bicyclists die not from the initial impact of the vehicle, but on the secondary impact of their head against a windshield or pavement.
I don't care how much it inconveniences you, wear one. You can get one that doesn't cover your all-seeing ears or whatever. You're way more likely to die of a head injury than by a car or whatever.
Plus, if you're conscious at all when the paramedics arrive, the first question they ask you is if you were wearing a helmet - yes I saw someone get doored virtually in front of me, and that is exactly the first question they ask. If you weren't wearing a helmet, the driver's insurance may not cover you because you were breaking the law (Seattle Code requires bike helmets).
Also, while you're at it, wear something other than black when you bike at night, preferably something reflective.
YES, WEAR A HELMET!
So many bicyclists die not from the initial impact of the vehicle, but on the secondary impact of their head against a windshield or pavement.
I don't care how much it inconveniences you, wear one. You can get one that doesn't cover your all-seeing ears or whatever. You're way more likely to die of a head injury than by a car or whatever.
Plus, if you're conscious at all when the paramedics arrive, the first question they ask you is if you were wearing a helmet - yes I saw someone get doored virtually in front of me, and that is exactly the first question they ask. If you weren't wearing a helmet, the driver's insurance may not cover you because you were breaking the law (Seattle Code requires bike helmets).
Also, while you're at it, wear something other than black when you bike at night, preferably something reflective.
50
Don't wear helmets. Wear headphones instead, which offer just as much impact protection. Remove your front brake- the extra five oz is holding you back, and you will be both cooler and aerodynamically more efficient without them. Do coke and meth and heroin as much as possible- what do the authorities know, they just want to keep us from having fun. And first and foremost, wait to have kids as long as possible- breeders are boring, and you've got all the time in the world.
If civilization is going to survive, we are going to need to have a step function in intelligence. We need to start by culling the dumb.
If civilization is going to survive, we are going to need to have a step function in intelligence. We need to start by culling the dumb.
51
@30 pedestrians breaking traffic flow laws don't kill people. Cyclists breaking traffic laws kill people only slightly more often. Automobile drivers breaking traffic laws kill people all the time. Cars in operation are lethal weapons, and need to be treated as such. Cyclists and pedestrians need to be careful, too.
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