Police: Ann Arbor bicyclist still in critical condition from crash on Monday
Related: Do you feel safe using Ann Arbor crosswalks?
The bicyclist who was struck by a car in a crosswalk Monday in Ann Arbor remains in critical condition, police said.
The woman injured at this crosswalk when hit by an SUV Monday is still in critical condition.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
The woman was hit by the SUV being driven by a 25-year-old Ann Arbor man, who stopped and rendered aid with a number of other passers-by after the accident. No charges have been filed yet, and police are still investigating the incident.
A witness who was riding her bike in the same area on Monday told AnnArbor.com the impact knocked the woman about 7 feet in the air before she came to rest on her side.
Sgt. Bill Clock, the lead investigator on the case, said Tuesday that excessive speed did not appear to be an issue in the incident, but a speed estimate was being done as a part of the investigation.
Police are still unsure whether the man violated the city’s pedestrian crosswalk ordinance, which states drivers must stop for pedestrians about to enter a crosswalk.
Once in the crosswalk, state law states that drivers must stop for pedestrians. While the woman was riding her bicycle, defined as a vehicle, the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code states any bicyclist legally in a crosswalk has the same rights as a pedestrian.
The crosswalk on Washtenaw near Platt crosses five lanes of traffic and has an overhead sign, along with signs on the sides of the road. There are no traffic lights at that particular intersection.
Clock said Tuesday the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office will review the investigation when it is finished to determine whether any charges will be filed.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
meechigan
Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
Any updates on this story?
Hactin
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
I regret that I conclude that ONLY the tatic of raising penalties for motorists hitting pedestrians and bicyclists will be effective in the war against errant drivers. You are an errant driver if you fail to realize that the world is not your private roadway and conduct yourself accordingly. There is little to no excuse for failing to see people in your car's path. Driving is a privilege. Period.
Holmes1
Sun, Aug 19, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
So are cycling and, for that matter, pedestrianism, both of which I practice. What is lacking is LAW ENFORCEMENT, in ALL respects, especially RE "cyclists."
Holmes1
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. And YOU, apparently, have no idea what law is! What EXACTLY is Ann Arbor "crosswalk law"? HOW are people supposed to abide by such "law"? Which YOU apparently don't even know? What about out-of-towners? HOW are they supposed to know that they are supposed to stop at EVERY crosswalk -- for who knows WHAT reason, not to mention WHEN? Which YOU don't seem to know? HUH?!!!
Holmes1
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.
"Once in the crosswalk, state law states that drivers must stop for pedestrians." WHERE does state law say ANY such thing? WHEN has state law EVER been in a crosswalk? Did you mean to say that "State law requires that drivers stop for pedestrians once the latter have entered crosswalks"? WHERE has state law EVER stated such thing? WHERE?!!!!
leaguebus
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
All the speculation and no one really knows why this woman was hit. Did one lane in Washtenaw stop and the other lane didn't stop? I can't believe that anyone, unless they wanted to get hit would ride out in front of two lanes of traffic going 45mph. So whats the real story. At the same time, most people writing in this blog want to get rid of most pedestrian crossings that do not occur at an intersection. This is ludicrous. If I want to walk from my house north of Washtenaw to the County Rec Center, I have to walk down to Huron Parkway or up to the light west of the center to cross?
Holmes1
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
WHAT's the Rec Center doing there? If you WANT to walk, WHAT's wrong with walking, here OR there? If you INSIST on crossing at that dangerous site, what's wrong with YOU yielding to traffic to keep yourself alive -- as per STATE law? THAT's a STATE HIGHWAY, governed by STATE LAW, and there is NO intersection there, thus ZERO reason for crosswalk. What's going to happen if ONE of those motor vehicles hurtling down on you at 45 mph isn't from Ann Arbor and is utterly unaware of the city's IDIOTIC ordinance? Do you WANT to be DEAD but right? WOW! That's not MY concept of intelligence! YIELD. As per STATE law! As THAT is the LAW! NOT Ann Arbor IDIOCY!!!
UtrespassM
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
There are many other ways to keep you fit and healthy. Please stop riding bicycle on busy roads. You life is much more important than you think.
Barb
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
Some people really don't have much of a choice. Cars are kinda expensive.
kraiford12
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
I almost feel adding an actual traffic-controlling lighted intersection at Platt & Washtenaw might not be a bad idea for a few reasons. 1.) The (mostly) agreed upon idea that a simple/plain crosswalk at the top of that hill is just dangerous. 2.) Trying to turn right off Platt onto Washtenaw is also tricky seeing as the east bound Washtenaw traffic is just cresting the hill there while also going 45mph+. 3.) This may allow people to turn left (westbound) onto Washtenaw from Platt which is currently not allowed. 4.) This may allow people to turn left (southbound) onto Platt from Washtenaw which is currently not allowed 5.) It gives the people in the neighboorhoods North of Washtenaw a lighted intersection to enter onto Washtenaw from rather than waiting for traffic to break/let them in. 6.) During rush hour, the Huron Parkway / Washtenaw intersection 1/4 mile east becomes extremely packed to the point that people on Washtenaw end up getting caught in the middle of the intersection in their vehicles while North/South bound Huron Parkway traffic has the right of way to go. Perhaps this is a horrible idea (I don't pretend to understand the complexities of traffic moderation). But if we could kill 2 birds with 1 stone, ya know?
RedSchwinn
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.
I believe that a new traffic signal is coming at the Platt/Washtenaw intersection, as part of the plan approval for the new shopping center to be built across Platt Road from the Rec Center. Not sure about the completion date, though. I hope that AATA will also relocate the bus stop for westbound Washtenaw, currently located right at the existing crosswalk, nearer to the new signal. Otherwise, a new signal at the intersection will not do much to make pedestrians or drivers safer.
JB SHOOTER
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Sounds like riding your bicycle in the crosswalk is a legal thing to do. I don't think this is very safe and I wouldn't dare ride my bike across a busy street in a crosswalk and expect cars would stop. Looks like in this case drivers would not have enough time to stop for a person riding a bike across the street no matter what. I think some of the issues drivers in AA have are the bicyclist are not acting in a safe manner. I have seen people riding at dusk with no lights or bright clothing. Riding through red lights because no cars are coming and in general, not acting in a safe manner. I would love to see more bike lanes for the increased bike traffic. I think AA needs to encourage safe biking/walking.
seldon
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Once again, annarbor.com is reporting on an accident without identifying the victim. Why?
seldon
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
And as for why I care, it's the same reason most people bother to read accident reports in the first place: I want to find out whether it's someone I know.
seldon
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
I'm not asking about their medical condition. This isn't medical privacy, it's a traffic accident report. Back when we had a newspaper, did stories on traffic accidents always omit the names of the victims? If you look at real newspapers, or even newspaper websites, are all the accident reports anonymized like the ones here? They aren't. annarbor.com is very weird on this.
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
seldon- I've asked police to identify the victim. At this point, I have not heard a response from them.
Ron Granger
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
They are entitled to their medical privacy. Or were you planning on sending flowers?
craigjjs
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
There are yellow pedestrian signs on the side of the road approaching from both directions and another overhead pedestrian sign. The problem is that when driving eastbound the rise makes it impossible to see them until you are very close to the crossing. They need to post signs more distant from the crosswalk, preferably with some lighting to draw attention. I question whether a light at the crosswalk itself would be much help because this would obscure it just like it obscures the overhead pedestrian sign.
kraiford12
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
It can be seen from a great distance yes. I think the problem though is consistency. So many different type of signs/indicators.
Ron Granger
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
That is not correct - the overhead sign can be seen from a very great distance.
Patrick Leonard
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 11:45 a.m.
I wonder if our mayor and the council members who voted for this miss-guided and inappropriately applied law have been to the hospital to visit the victim of their folly? Have they consoled the poor driver who has had his life possibly ruined by their attempt to be on the cutting edge of political correctness? Anyone who has ever driven a car can see that pedestrian crossings without signals on main thoroughfares is a stupid idea. Will someone have to die to get the mayor's attention?
Holmes1
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:55 p.m.
Thanks! Great response!
Peter Konigsberg
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 9:47 a.m.
Just a matter of time, hope she makes a full recovery. Poorly thought out law, great example of the mayor at work!
Mr. Me
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.
Washtenaw, Plymouth, etc. are just some of the places where Ann Arbor wants to be an auto-centered place like Detroit and a "complete streets" city at the same time. Sorry, but it's not possible. Either reengineer these roads to make them slower, or just abandon all these pretensions at being the Boston or Portland of the Midwest. I am a pedestrian/cyclist/transit user, and I've come very close to harming others or myself on the days I do drive because the system is built to make you go too fast and then stop too quickly.
Kara Marie
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
I was at work at Meri Lou that night. We saw and heard all the commotion. From a patron that talked to the driver, apparently there was nothing the driver could to do avoid her once he saw her. Prayers for her and her family. Him and his too. That is just a scary crosswalk..
Danl
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.
It is a scary crosswalk indeed. '..apparently there was nothing the driver could to do avoid her once he saw her' Sounds to me like excessive speed or distracted driving, unless the women just bounded out into the street before checking traffic. I wish them all well.
northside
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
I don't normally support the state's Emergency Manager law, but will make an exception so that the City of Ann Arbor no longer has influence over traffic control issues. The rear-end accidents that occurred after the new pedestrian right-of-way law, many on Plymouth Road, were bad enough, and now this awful accident. It's time for a group with some basic common sense to run the show.
Brad
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.
I'll agree that I doubt this is at all related to the latest pedestrian ordinance. I think this is just terrible traffic engineering, pure and simple.
L'chaim
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
I don't see the new law as having much bearing on this accident. People cross there all the time and it's dangerous. You still have to be careful crossing the street and drivers have to be alert and wiling share the road. Something just went wrong in this instance, and we may never even know what it was.
a2citizen
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
I have visited 50 plus countries and the only place I know of that has a similar law is Rome. And Rome is the scariest place I have seen to cross a street. I do not know of any other place where a pedestrian can just waltz into five lanes of trunk-line highway traffic and expect the right of way. This ordinance is just stupid. The only surprising thing is it took this long for someone to get hit.
hepcat
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Perhaps you should visit the country of California. Motorists have been stopping for pedestrians there for decades. Perhaps drivers in the golden state are better than Michiganders.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
I didn't say 50 "states"...I said 50 "countries". There are many countries around the world where bikes are used as a ubiquitous mode of local transportation. And in those I have never seen a bike cross a five-lane, trunkline highway expecting traffic to yield. Except in Ann Arbor, MI.
Brad
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
When you say "waltz" is that "waltzing" with or without a marked crosswalk? That's probably more germane than the particular dance step employed.
snark12
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 11:56 a.m.
I agree with Peregine, it's the law in most places. If you want an example, it's the law in Pennsylvania where I saw it in action last week.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 1:14 a.m.
I have what wrong? I am speaking from personal experience and observation. And you are quoting Wikipedia? Have you ever flown outside of a2 city limits? a2, 27 square miles surrounded by reality. Where, on any of your flights, have you seen a pedestrian waltz into five lanes of traffic? Where?
Peregrine
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedestrian_crossing) you have it exactly wrong. That page states: "In the United States, crossing laws vary from state to state and sometimes at the local level, most laws require vehicles to either yield or even come to a complete stop right-of-way for a pedestrian or bicyclist who has entered, or is intending to enter the crosswalk."
RedSchwinn
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
Just wondering... might a bicyclist who is "legally" in a crosswalk be one who has dismounted and is walking alongside the bike, pushing it? That is still "operating" the bicycle, but not riding it. This law is vague, and it seems most law about bicycles sharing roadways and walkways is pretty vague. I encounter far too many of my fellow cyclists taking advantage (or simply completely ignorant) of those laws.
northside
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
Great point Red. Some people have written that bikes have the same right-of-way in crosswalks as pedestrians but aren't they expected to follow rules for autos while in traffic?
seekingsun
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
I drive this intersection all the time. I am in favor of the pedestrian right of way law in general; in places like Liberty Ave, etc, it makes complete sense. But Washtenaw acts effectively like a highway even at the relatively slow speeds. I more than once have almost backended another car attempting to stop; it wasn't until I was in the middle of the situation that I realized that we were waiting for a pedestrian. The cross walk is not at an intersection, or any of the other normal clues to the fact that drivers should be doing anything other than watch other cars. This is a PERFECT spot for another "hawk" light, like what was installed on Huron. If a passenger wants to cross, they push a button, a yield to red light is initiated to stop traffic, and the person can cross safely. It is unreasonable to expect five lanes of traffic to be able to recognize that a pedestrian wants to cross and to simultaneously stop for that crossing.
Holmes1
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
Sorry, but the signs don't belong there -- and don't show that pedestrians are anywhere around. More importantly, motor vehicles going 45 miles an hour (which is the speed limit at that spot) have NO BUSINESS stopping there -- and can't. Washtenaw AVE is a HIGHWAY, NOT a city street, and is designed for MOTOR VEHICLES! And there is NOTHING on the north side of the road at that point. NOTHING!!!
craigjjs
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
"The cross walk is not at an intersection, or any of the other normal clues to the fact that drivers should be doing anything other than watch other cars" There are yellow pedestrian signs on the side of the road approaching from both directions and another overhead pedestrian sign. Those are pretty good clues that drivers should be watching for pedestrians. It works for me.
Peregrine
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 12:55 a.m.
seekingsun: "I more than once have almost backended another car attempting to stop; it wasn't until I was in the middle of the situation that I realized that we were waiting for a pedestrian." If that's true, then you're either tailgating or not paying enough attention to what's happening ahead of you. From the Michigan State Police website: http://www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123-1589_1711_4587-16230--,00.html "Drivers who don't think ahead may find themselves bumper to bumper with the car in front of them. To law enforcement officers, it's called "not being able to stop within an assured clear distance," also known as a violation of the basic speed law. Most of us call it tailgating. It is the most common cause of traffic crashes." "Always plan ahead. Allow no less than 2 seconds between vehicles during the daytime, 3 seconds at night, and 4 seconds during inclement weather such as during rain, snow, or icy conditions. Be especially cautious when approaching stop lights, intersections, and when changing lanes. Anticipate potentially hazardous situations that could cause the driver in front of you to stop suddenly."
a2roots
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
Unfortunate that this happened. Certainly hope the injured and the driver recover. If there is blame to be passed it must be directed at the decision makers in city hall. This is an absolutely stupid place for a crosswalk. The speed limit is 45 and all of sudden there is a cross walk. Dumb, dumb and dumber.
Holmes1
Fri, Aug 17, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
Nonsense, L'chaim! City Hall DID, too, create that irresponsible crosswalk! And just because the crosswalk has been there is NO reason to keep it there! The family of the victim should sue the city for its UTTER FAILURE to do its duty. Better yet, Ann Arbor citizens should throw out the clowns running this "city"!
L'chaim
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
I think I get the spirit of your post, but I feel like we have to acknowledge two things: 1) That crosswalk has existed for eons, virtually unchanged, so City Hall's fault is in not changing it (but they didn't create it), and there are doubtlessly many more that are similarly bad; and 2) it is teh users' (drivers, cyclists and pedestrians) job to be vigilant and careful on the road. Not to be mean, but when you let your guard down or don't look out for others, accidents happen.
actionjackson
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
First of all my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for the woman that was injured. Secondly for the trauma that the young man will be going through. After reading all of the posts from yesterday the State law is very confusing making a bicyclist both a pedestrian and vehicle at the same time. Very unfortunate and hopefully more awareness to all pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
Barb
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 6:26 p.m.
Not a big fan of the law as I think it's unnecessary. But the problem is that everyone makes mistakes in judgement and sometimes the results are catastrophic. IMHO, cars should always yield to peds and bikes whenever possible - It's just common sense that someone in a car has distinct advantages in almost every situation and should always be vigilant because of that. However, someone trying to cross a busy intersection should *never* assume a driver is going to do the right thing. Make eye contact and then watch. Assume the worst and then you have nowhere to go but up. I so hope she recovers- this is so upsetting.
actionjackson
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
I just went back to your previous article of the Seventh and Washington crosswalk. I copied and will paste one paragraph that even makes this crosswalk law even more confusing. "Pedestrians must confirm oncoming vehicles have stopped before stepping into the road. According to state law, motorists can't pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk."