Pedestrian struck on Braddock Road
Several local residents reported a huge amount of police
action on Braddock Road last night near the entrance to Green Spring Gardens. A
couple of people said they saw someone lying in the road.
A pedestrian was struck by a Ford Escape at about 7:07 p.m.
on Braddock Road by Witch Hazel Road, says Fairfax County Police spokesperson
Bud Walker.
on Braddock Road by Witch Hazel Road, says Fairfax County Police spokesperson
Bud Walker.
The victim, a 23-year-old woman, was transported to the hospital
with life-threatening injuries. She is from the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.
The driver is an adult male from the Springfield area. Walker declined to
provide names or further details about those involved in the accident.
with life-threatening injuries. She is from the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.
The driver is an adult male from the Springfield area. Walker declined to
provide names or further details about those involved in the accident.
The crash is still under investigation and charges are
pending. A preliminary determination from the FCPD Crash Reconstruction Unit
found speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors. This accident happened just five days after the police department launched a pedestrian safety campaign.
pending. A preliminary determination from the FCPD Crash Reconstruction Unit
found speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors. This accident happened just five days after the police department launched a pedestrian safety campaign.
note speed is not a factor usually means the driver was not speeding. It does not mean that the (legal) speed did not aggravate the injuries.
So this happened in the future…7:07pm on 11/6?
2nd line says "last night", which would have been on 11/5.
That crosswalk is always a problem. Drivers rarely yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk that are trying to cross. This is sad, I hope she recovers quickly.
The news report did not say that the woman was in the crosswalk!
This is not the first accident of this type happening on the Braddock Rd stretch from LRT to Columbia Pike! Every effort should be made (but will never happen) to make this stretch of roadway safe for walking – a sidewalk should be installed on one side of Braddock Rd ASAP! There are many reasons this should be done – you could walk to HT, the Starbucks and other stores and restaurants in the shopping center at Braddock and Lincolnia Rd. People walk this area constantly and it's very unsafe as there is no designated path or sidewalk for much of the stretch of raod.
Any updates?
The County and VDOT need to get serious about making this pedestrian roadway safe……period. No ifs and/or buts.
Braddock Rd is a conduit to public transportation on Columbia Pike and Little River Tnpk. Our local and federal government leaderships encourages the use of public transportation, but why would anyone want to use it if getting to it puts one's life at risk.
County is still living in the 50's!
An electronic sign at the site asked for anyone who may have witnessed anything to call Fairfax police.
As a driver I find speed bumps annoying but realize their usefulness. Maybe adding speed bumps at this location would be a good solution for this intersection.
That stretch of road is so poorly lit and with many shadows, that unless a pedestrian is wearing light color clothes, it would be difficult to see them. Also, I have to wonder if the person was using earphones/Ipod/cell phone, as this makes many people oblivious to their surroundings.
Drivers and pedestrians alike are in their own little world: smart phones, headphones, and driving in a daze. A fatality in the future is no an if, but a when.
VDOT needs to step up to the plate, reduce the speed limit to 25 MPH, and add electronic signage to alert speeders and add pedestrian yellow warning bollards at prominent crosswalks like the ones in DC and Arlington where the driver must stop for a crossing pedestrian.
The County needs to add sidewalks and designated bike lanes to those roadways that are conduits to public transportation and improve lighting. Additional education on awareness should be fostered by TV ads and other media informing pedestrians to wear light clothing and to pay attention, as well as educating drivers to roadway alertness and safer driving patterns.
The police need to do more speed patrols to put a check on reckless driving.
Unless the public demands better safety, VDOT and the County will continue business as usual. So speak up, the next victim may be you!
I see students always with earphones & hoodies on, jaywalking and deliberately walking in front of cars all the time. Have never seen them given a citation, even when police are present. Scary. I would think that the bad lighting on that road would cause accidents and encourage crime.