Pedestrian struck on Little River Turnpike in April dies of injuries
The man who was struck by a car while crossing Little River Turnpike in Annandale last month died of his injuries May 4, the Fairfax County Police Department reports.
The FCPD identified the victim as David Neal, 62, of Alexandria.
A 1997 BMW 750 traveling westbound at about 10 p.m. on April 25 struck Neal as he was crossing Little River Turnpike near Carrico Drive. Neal was not in a crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
Detectives believe alcohol may have been a factor for the pedestrian. Neither speed nor alcohol were factors for the driver.
The police department is currently undertaking the Street Smart pedestrian safety campaign. According to the FCPD Traffic Division, there have been nine pedestrian fatalities, 57 injuries, and 50 pedestrian-related crashes in Fairfax County so far in 2019.
If "Neither speed nor alcohol were factors for the driver," then is the speed limit just too high on Little River Turnpike? It is somewhere between 35 and 40 mph here.
As far as I know, speeds are determined by VDOT, which is dedicated to move the maximum number of single occupancy vehicles as fast as possible.
Should Fairfax County residents have any voice in saying if speeds are too high here? Should pedestrian safety for locals play any role in determining appropriate speeds?
Just wondering if any local politicians have gone on the record to promote slower, safer speeds and less carnage.
There's nothing wrong with the speed. Any major roadway should be between 35-40 mph. Key factor here is the fact that the pedestrian did not use the designated crosswalk.
Pedestrian was not in a crosswalk. I think that is the main issue. Crosswalks exist for a reason; it's where motorists pay extra attention to the possibility of pedestrians crossing and traffic signals are present. I think the speed limits are fine.
I'm sure the fact that the fact he might have been under the influence didn't help. Doesn't matter what speed I'm going if a dude leaps out in front of me in the dark.