Collision happened shortly after 9 p.m., according to Boston EMS Incidents. The homicide unit was called in due to the severity of the pedestrian's injuries.
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Comments
If it was a cyclist...
By Lunchbox
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 9:05am
Any time a bicycle gets clipped by a car, dozens of comments light up this website. Some poor pedestrian gets run down and it's radio silence.
So
By SwirlyGrrl
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 9:24am
You want a certain crank chiming in about visibility? And bump outs?
At least this driver didn't take off - and we don't know much else about the situation other than it was a most sad one for the pedestrian involved - and their family and friends.
The number of comments doesn't have anything to do with how important or not important some event is, anyway. It generally scales with both outrage level and provocation and automated victim blaming comments.
Radio Silence isn't necessarily bad
By peter
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:33am
Silence is preferable to ugly sentiments like "Stupid cyclist probably deserved it" and "I bet he/she was running a red light" or "Why do they even wear spandex, who do they think they are, Lance Armstrong?" Which are then responded to with equally inflammatory remarks defending cyclists and bashing drivers or pedestrians. Most of those dozens of comments could be done without, IMHO. On a good day, we'll get some actual stats that were from a reputable study, but odds are that stat was cherry picked to support a certain view. :-)
[Full Disclosure: As a frequent driver, cyclist and pedestrian, I have grudges against all 3 groups. They all do stupid stuff that endangers me or them or others.]
I hope this was an accident, not a homicide attempt, and I hope the pedestrian recovers, and that the driver isn't overly traumatized by the experience.
But the bottom line...
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:14pm
...is that one has an infinitely greater chance of recovery one gets clipped by a bike rather than a vehicle. That's just a fact, and it's really the only stat that anyone needs to realize that streets that are made completely bike safe (not just some stupid "bike lane" painted where the cyclists can easily be injured) are happier streets in general.
How about ghost shoes/sneakers?
By Markk02474
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 11:34am
to mark an accident location? Not much information to go on in the story other than it took place at night, when J-walking in all dark clothing is the most dangerous, not that I'm saying for sure that's what happened. I hope the pedestrian recovers.
A more interesting story is Cosmo, the brother of Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and Registrar of Deeds, Maria Curtatone getting busted and held without bail for Assault to rape and larceny on a woman who had taken out a dozen restraining orders against him.
YAWN!!!
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:11pm
It amazes me how you driver types just can't stop obsessing about cyclists. It's you drivers who are taking out pedestrians and cyclists on the regular. All we want is for drivers to be put in check to make city streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Everyone should be put in
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 2:21pm
Everyone should be put in check, we are all in this together!
True, but ...
By SwirlyGrrl
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 2:46pm
When is the last time some vehicle other than a car or a truck killed somebody in a collision?
With motorized power comes responsibility. Foolish and inattentive and/or impaired cyclists and pedestrians tend to do themselves in with minor collateral damage. Foolish and inattentive and/or impaired motorists generate a lot of collateral damage.
I almost killed the biker who
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 3:30pm
I almost killed the biker who blew a stop sign last week and nearly t-boned me, or would he have been responsible? (doubtful)
So responsibility is based on the potential damage one can do?
It's ok for the guy on a motorcycle to bob in and out of traffic bc if he hits someone, it won't cause as much damage? Foolish and inattentive and/or impaired individuals contribute to collisions/ accidents regardless of what mode or transportation he/ she is using. Why don't you look at the big picture, rather than focusing on your biker agenda.
It's interesting...
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 4:41pm
...because I always see drivers citing some instance where they "almost" hit a cyclist who "blew a stop sign" (or some other unsafe behavior that drivers do constantly), yet I can't recall ever seeing this happen when the driver wasn't acting equally irresponsible. If you're driving in the city, then you should have your head on a swivel since your mode of transport can cause the most damage. It's just a fact.
So let's just focus on those
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 5:03pm
So let's just focus on those operating MV's rather than all of the stakeholders? Great logic
I never said that...
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 5:19pm
I'm saying to focus on those who pose the greatest threat to safety.
Greatest Threat... So focus
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 5:57pm
Greatest Threat... So focus on 18 wheelers and dump trucks....
Not quite...
By MatthewC
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:25pm
If there were only a smattering of cars on the road, then perhaps you'd be right. But given the sheer volume of cars on the roads in the city, 18 wheelers and dump trucks are not the greatest threat.
Yes they are
By Markk02474
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:47pm
Trucks and buses account for a disproportionate number of bike and pedestrian fatalities. Its far easier to address the smaller number of trucks and buses than all the other motorized vehicles. Well, that is, except politically. For example RMV fee increases were targeted at non-commercial vehicles.
Also try to serve the most people
By Markk02474
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 6:04pm
Do you optimize roads for long (skate) boarders which are a small minority to serve, or optimize for bus traffic which can carry many more people and longer distances? With public funds, they must be spent to benefit the most people. Skateboarders are not contributing anything extra to funding (unlike motorists), so they get about what they pay for, parasitic benefits from road structure put in to serve the greatest good.
Stereotype much?
By MatthewC
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:26pm
So skateboarders don't pay taxes?
the big picture
By anon
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 4:50pm
Drivers own that body count race. Totally. Drivers are usually at fault in accidents with pedestrians and cyclists (google is your friend), and they kill orders of magnitude more people than pretty much anything else.
That is the big picture.
Nope!
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 4:43pm
Drivers don't get to run amok, taking out pedestrians and cyclists, and then demand that everyone who isn't raging behind the wheel be in this together.
So you assume that I run
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 5:14pm
So you assume that I run amock or all drivers do? That "taking out" pedestrians and cyclists is something MV operators want to do? Also, I am demanding that we are all in this together? It must be stressful to have this much anger.
It makes more sense to me to look at the bigger picture, rather than focusing on a narrow view point.
I am from Boston, I don't really trust that people are going to do what they are suppose to do. I don't just walk into the middle of the street assuming cars will stop for me, as some do. I pay attention at stop signs and green lights bc I can't be sure that people are going to stop, have seen too many bad accidents. Like I said before, without blaming just MV's, we all need to be observant and street smart.
And I grew up in South Philly...
By MatthewC
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 5:25pm
You want to talk about aggressive drivers? Boston has nothjg on that city, and that's not me bragging. I've been hit three times times in my home town by aggressive drivers when I was clearly in the right. So go ahead and challenge my experience and frame of reference on this issue. It's pretty sound.
Anyway, who said I'm angry? I'm stating facts (as in a car can cause more damage than a bike) and you're somehow taking it personally. Ok, fine. You do not run amok and you are a very safe driver. We good?
I think I can make an
By RhoninFire
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 6:02pm
I think I can make an argument where this is why your hard line stance and language is doing more harm than good.
To be clear, I know you clarified, but it's rather reasonable interpretation to interpret "drivers get to run amok" to mean generally drivers - thus most or all. Since the post was written as an inline reply on top of that, it's rather it rather hard to dismiss as part of the exception. As well any reader who don't bike exclusively as part of the "drivers who are cool" group.
I don't want to talk about
By Lmo
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:13pm
I don't want to talk about aggressive drivers, or Philly, unless it is regarding Frank, Dennis, Mac or Charlie. How many times do you need to get hit before you realize it many not be someone else's fault? Personally?? I addressed your generalizations and since I posted "in this together" I addressed that as well.
Let's just say MV operators start abiding by the laws; having rogue bikers and pedestrians will significantly impact the operators ability to abide by the law. Therefore, we are all in this together.
We good, I'm doneeee.
MatthewC just know one thing... I will never hit you with my car, even if you are being an idiot.
I'm never an idiot on a bike...
By MatthewC
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:28pm
...so you'd have to be if you ever did hit me.
Also, if I feel that bringing up Philly is relevant to the discussion, then I will. You don't have to reply.
P.S. Ever been there? Didn't think so.
Yes I have actually, stayed
By Lmo
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:59pm
Yes I have actually, stayed at Penn's Landing. Have great hat from Hats in the Belfry, my favorite part of the trip was the SSUS. Beat it guy........ Philly is not relevant to the discussion. I never said "on a bike". You can be an idiot and not be on a bike.
Yeah--we'd also have the usual jerks
By Sally
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 8:08am
instantly chiming in about what an irresponsible daredevil the pedestrian was and how they probably ran in front of the car and how pedestrians really don't belong in the city.
Dangerous intersection
By TheGrovehaller
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:37am
I hope the pedestrian pulls or has pulled through. That is a dangerous intersection due the 4 lanes and it being like a mini highway that most drivers treat as such.
Something wrong with the Walk signals?
By Markk02474
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 11:38am
Were the pedestrian walk buttons and crossing lights not working?
They certainly do not work
By SwirlyGrrl
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 11:46am
... when motorists routinely ignore and blow through red lights that aren't routinely going from green to red and back.
I don't know if it is a problem here, but it certainly is a problem at Mass Ave where the guy was hit recently, as well as on Alford St., and on Mystic Valley Parkway and Broadway/Main in Cambridge and any of several other intersections in the area with button-activated walk lights.
At the end of the day...
By Chris Rich
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 2:00pm
..it's all about keeping cognitive skills well honed.
It's like fighter jet combat out there if you're pedaling of riding shanks mare.
And you 'win' if the ratio of reaction times favors you over the adversary.
And you can't very well react if you are partly oblivious for whatever reason.
We are just in a time that aims to suffocate the primal cognitive power that let us figure out the design for Stonehenge by observing shadow changes.
We impair our hearing with some dim personal sound track for the imagined movie we mistake for our lives.
And now our vision is half blinkered by anxieties over whether there is a text message in the pipeline from whoever it is we imagine validates us and relieves our insecurities.
There is no substitute for being fully engaged in the tumultuous motorized world when you have to traverse some hell part of it.
In my Trail hike videos I liken it to traversing rapids with a thing like the Sullivan Square Rotary being like a class 3 hell rapid in a narrow gorge.
Full...
By Michael Kerpan
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 2:15pm
... agreement.
I actually prefer driving with my window open (when feasible) -- as one can hear more of what's going on around you.
Thanks Mark!
By Scratchie
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 11:48am
We were all wondering how long it would take you to blame the victim and would like to express our appreciation for coming through with flying colors. It's nice to know there are some things in life you can always count on; Death, Taxes and Mark Kaepplein being a total douchebag on internet forums.
So the pedestrian was at fault?
By Markk02474
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:01pm
Is that what you are saying? I just asked if the walk signals were working. Was the driver cited for running a red light?
Hey itchy bum, what's your real identity and city/town of residence? Or are you a coward too?
Concern troll is deeply
By Scratchie
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:23pm
Concern troll is deeply concerned.
Trolling in light of
By anon
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 12:36pm
Trolling in light of potential death sure is a strong troll, Markk. You've really out done yourself.
LOL A Name.. a name...
By cybah
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 11:56am
A name.. a name.....LOLOL
That's all I am going to say, except, still waiting for that ignore button, AdamG...
Well, Markk...
By whyaduck
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 1:41pm
why don't you visit the site of the accident and check 'em out yourself, and then report back to us?
I am a pedestrian who doesn't
By Burdle
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:14pm
I am a pedestrian who doesn't own a car or drive but I am always aware of whether or not cars are coming and at least wait before crossing at a cross walk, even though I know I have the right of way.
On the other hand, I have been a passenger in a car and SO many times witnessed people carelessly walk out into the street, not at a red light or cross walk. They seemingly believe that the world revolves around them and it's okay to force all cars to suddenly stop and wait for them because they are somehow special. This is particularly dangerous at night and in heavy traffic. I am surprised more people are not killed.
Thanks
By Scratchie
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 8:50am
There hasn't been nearly enough victim-blaming in this thread yet.
Take a long walk off a short pier
By Markk02474
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 1:10pm
and we will blame the pier. Deal?
Why don't you drive off it instead?
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 12:28pm
Then you can blame the lack of bollards/guard rails/signs preventing you from doing something stupid with your car ... or you can claim you were confused by a traffic island or bump out ... or that the water wasn't visible enough and needs to be fluorescent.
Works both ways.
By Matthew
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 10:15pm
Every day I see vehicles fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks (unsignalized or with walk signal displayed). Drivers carelessly motor through those crosswalks. They seem to believe that the world revolves around them and it's okay to force all pedestrians to suddenly stop and wait for them because they are special.
But let's step back from that kind of tit-for-tat rhetoric, for a moment, let's look at your statement:
People make mistakes. All the time. To err is human, as they say. How did we get ourselves into such a position that a simple mistake ("a pedestrian error" if you will) while walking around your neighborhood can mean that you will die that day? I think that's the real problem.
Engineers in the 60s started to design "forgiving roads" in order to account for the mistakes of drivers. If you nodded off at the wheel, or got confused, or made some other dumb mistake, you had extra chances to recover and get back to cruising. Unfortunately, the engineers did not extend that courtesy to pedestrians, and the "forgiving road design" ended up making streets more dangerous for people on foot because it encouraged drivers to go faster and faster.
People make mistakes. Someone could be having a bad day. Or be lost in thought. Admiring the view. Have poor eyesight. Confused for some reason. That's life. I don't know why someone may have stepped in front of your car, but give them the benefit of the doubt. Drivers make mistakes too. Distracted. Blinded by the sun. Might be lost. Confused by our crazy roads. Emotionally distraught. Who knows.
What I do know is that in both cases, the main danger comes from speed. A street that is actually forgiving for the mistakes of walker or driver (or biker, etc) is one in which motorists travel at a reasonable speed. And unfortunately, the default speed limit in "thickly settled areas" in MA is a bit too high, at 30 mph. And many drivers still don't respect even that. The onus is on the operator of the dangerous, fast moving vehicle to travel at a safe speed -- and conditions may warrant a lower speed than what is posted.
Anyway, my two cents. I hope that the injured person is able to make a full recovery.
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