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PrintTeens in crosswalk hit by elderly driver
Two 14-year-old boys were injured Saturday afternoon after they were struck by an auto driven by a 92-year-old man.
One of the teens was taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa with a possible skull fracture. The second was taken to Sonoma Valley Hospital where he was treated for abrasions and released.
According to Sgt. Spencer Crum, with the Sonoma Police Department, the teens were crossing Fifth Street West at Curtin Lane at about 12:40 p.m. – and were in the crosswalk – when they were struck by an auto driven by 92-year-old Levon Arkelian of Sonoma who was southbound on Fifth Street West in his 2003 Toyota Corolla. Arkelian told officers he didn’t see the teens.
Crum said the speed limit in this area is 25 miles an hour and that speed and alcohol are not considered factors in the collision. He said the crosswalk is an improved crosswalk in front of Sassarini Elementary School with yellow flashing lights embedded in the roadway as well as a sign with lights that flash when activated by a pedestrian using the crosswalk. Witnesses and the boys said all lights were activated at the time they crossed.
Arkelian was cited for failing to yield for pedestrians in a crosswalk and has been referred to DMV for a priority reexamination of his driver's license.
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This crosswalk, although equiped with flashing lights in the pavement and on the side of the street, is extremely dangerous. I'm not sure that it is due to one particular factor but all the following come into play here:
5th street west is a very wide road, and heavily traveled
Depending on the time of day, the pavement reflectors are difficult to see when lit.
The signs on the sidewalk are below tree branches.
There is a turning lane.
Some pedestrians do not wait to walk or even look around even though a voice directs you to do so.
Cars parked on the side of the road.
I have stood at that crosswalk, with flashing lights engaged and watched cars drive through and also seen cars stopped in the turning lane and someone drove past them. The only time I cross here is when school is in session and the TWO crossing guards assist me. This crosswalk is directly in front of an elementery achool, kids are using it all the time even when school is not in session. There has to be a better solution here. A Curtin Lane resident
I'm saddened about this incident involving an elderly driver, but delighted we have an important resource to offer the community:
On Wednesday November 7 from 5:30-7 pm Vintage House and Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging offer a free seminar for older drivers and concerned family and community members on facilitating sensitive and successful conversations about driving safety. The seminar is open to the public but pre-registration is required.
"Hanging up the Keys" will cover topics like warning signs, conversation openers, how to construct a caring and effective dialogue about driving and finding other forms of transportation so your loved one can continue to be active and remain part of the community. Prominent among these alternate forms of transportation are free FISH (Friends in Sonoma Helping) rides for medical appointments and free local rides for life-enhancing purposes with the LIMO (Local Independent Mobility Options) program offered by Vintage House.
As a follow up to the seminar we'll offer a six-week support group at 10:00 am on Wednesdays from November 21-December 19 for anyone considering becoming a non-driver and for those already dealing with being a non-driver. The support group will focus on adjustment issues, achieving mobility and meeting lifestyle needs and desires.
To register for either the seminar or the support group, or for information about driving issues in general, please contact Beverley Odell at 996.03112 or rides@vintage.org.