Everett woman struck, killed crossing Highway 99
Published 11:38 pm Friday, November 30, 2007
EVERETT — A 54-year-old Everett woman died Friday morning after she was struck by a pickup truck while crossing Highway 99.
Police believe Marla Estes was crossing seven lanes of traffic about 5 a.m. A 34-year-old Granite Falls man was driving south on the highway near 118th Street SW when he struck Estes, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.
Estes was taken to an Everett hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The truck driver who hit her wasn’t talking on a cell phone or otherwise distracted, Goetz said. Police don’t have any indication that alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.
“Obviously he didn’t see her. It was dark out and he likely didn’t expect to see someone crossing there,” he said.
Nearly 50 pedestrians have died statewide this year, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
“October, November, December and January are notorious months for pedestrian safety. It’s directly related to the lighting,” said Lynn Drake, who studies pedestrian safety for the commission.
Daylight hours dwindle in winter months. It’s best for pedestrians to wear bright, reflective clothing and make eye contact with the driver before crossing a street, Drake said.
In the past decade, 26 percent more pedestrians were killed during the four winter months in Snohomish County than the remaining eight months, commission statistics show.
From 1996 to 2006, 44 pedestrians were killed in the county during October, November, December and January, while 33 died in the other months, records show.
“This is a really bad time for pedestrians,” Drake said.
It’s best to use marked crosswalks, but white lines don’t ensure protection.
“The crosswalk does not guarantee a safe crossing. It is a tool to help them cross safely,” she said.
It was not immediately clear where Estes was going when she was struck.
Traffic detectives continue to investigate.
The accident is a reminder that it’s important for pedestrians to use crosswalks whenever they’re available, Goetz said.
“Drivers are not always looking for someone crossing midblock, particularly on a seven-lane state highway,” he said.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
