Women Pedestrians Killed In Separate Collisions In St Paul

This week there were two tragic examples of what Injuryboard member Steve Lombardi has been posting about concerning the need to watch out for pedestrians.

A 70 year old a top textile artist, was walking her boxer, when she was hit by a garbage truck as she crossed the street. She was on the sidewalk along Fifth Street when she went to cross Sibley Street toward Mears Park, according to a preliminary police investigation. Police speculate she was taking her dog to Mears Park, where people have said the two were morning regulars, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman. The garbage truck was turning left from Fifth Street north onto Sibley, police said. The truck struck her as she crossed Sibley.

A 79-year-old woman, was walking at the intersection of Randolph and Snelling avenues, when a backing up ambulance hit her. The ambulance had been responding to an accident in a parking lot near there. Both the police and fire departments are investigating the accident. The ambulance was taken out of service for inspection, which is a standard procedure for city vehicles involved in fatal crashes. The department’s standard operating procedure addresses when a back-up guide should be stationed while a vehicle is reversing, though there are exceptions for some emergency situations, said St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard . Part of the investigation concerns whether a crew member was directing the ambulance Saturday, he said.

Two very sad stories, both of which were probably avoidable but without a full report it is still unclear. There should be questions about what safety procedures were followed and if the backup rear warning device was working.