Woman struck in crosswalk improving

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, October 28, 2006

LYNNWOOD – A 19-year-old woman who was struck by a car outside Edmonds Community College remains hospitalized in Seattle on Saturday.

Anna Vinokurova of Lynnwood has been upgraded from critical to serious condition at Harborview Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Vinokurova was walking to class Tuesday morning when she was hit by a car in the crosswalk on 68th Avenue W. The driver of the car was detained for questions about his citizenship, but he was not arrested, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

Thursday and Friday, Vinokurova underwent successful surgeries on her neck and legs, said her boyfriend, Ryan O’Neill. She suffered severe head trauma and has been kept sedated since the accident, he said.

“She’s the sweetest, most caring, thoughtful person I could ever meet in my life,” said O’Neill, who lives with her across the street from the college. “We’re just hoping for the best at this point.”

Vinokurova was born in Russia. Her family moved to the United States when she was young, O’Neill said.

She graduated from Scriber Lake High School in Lynnwood with hopes of becoming a veterinarian, O’Neill said. She was dedicated to her collegiate studies.

Tuesday, the day of the accident, was Vinokurova’s 19th birthday. She had planned to add to the butterfly skull tattooed on her lower back.

Minutes before the accident, O’Neill said Vinokurova woke him up to say goodbye.

“I told her I’d put on a pot of coffee when she got back, and that I loved her,” he said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.