Crash site. Photo by Epic Stratton.
Updated.
A Quincy motorist plowed into a pedestrian crossing Massachusetts Avenue in front of the Orange Line station around 6 a.m., then just drove away, police say.
The victims remains in critical condition at a local hospital, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.
Lawrence Stead, 69, of Quincy, was arrested later in the morning in Quincy, after police traced the license-plate number of the gray, 1999 Mercury Marquis seen leaving the scene to his home.
Stead is scheduled for arraignment tomorrow in Boston Municipal Court on a charge of leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident, the DA's office reports.
WBZ reports Stead is a retired Cambridge cop.
Massachusetts Avenue was shut for much of the morning as police investigated the crash.
Innocent, etc.
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Comments
Ugh
By ornahh
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 8:02am
This crosswalk is horrible. They tried to improve it (and kind of did...when peds and cars play by the rules) by putting in stop lights, but so many cars aren't used to/expecting (ANOTHER) stop light that they just blow right through it looking towards the light at Columbus. And pedestrians don't want to wait for the walk sign (for a number of reasons) so they'll cross even if the cars have a green light. I don't know what caused this accident, but that crosswalk is just problematic. Thoughts are with the victim, their family, etc.
The city should have built a
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 8:52am
The city should have built a raised speed bump style crosswalk there. It's a long block and people have always floored it at that point of Mass Ave.
I agree but
By canta
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:52am
fire trucks would probably bottom out...
Has that been a problem in Somerville?
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:31am
I think we should check into where they are used and what the issues are and are not before making "probably" statements.
They've got those raised
By Scratchie
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:25am
They've got those raised crosswalks all over Cambridge, too. Doesn't seem to be a problem for their firetrucks (which have pretty high clearance, I'd think).
what about a curb-out?
By andonandon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:56am
We see them in Cambridge, Brookline, etc... but not so much in Boston? I'm wondering why Boston doesn't bother to do them - we could definitely use them in several places.
Can't do one there because of
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:13am
Can't do one there because of the bus stop on each side.
they won't do it
By canta
Mon, 03/31/2014 - 8:50pm
because fire trucks would bottom out... its mass ave not some side street in cambridge or somerville.. also, Larry Steadman is an incredible human being. he was always the kindest security guard at 555 and baker. i send my condolences to the family of the homeless man who lost his life and also Larry and his family.
True
By Neal
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:10am
Also, drivers who run a red light while endangering others (IE running an occupied crosswalk, illegal right into moving traffic, etc), should be subject to an automatic temporary license suspension on top of whatever fine may be incurred. This is how it's done in some jurisdictions (some jurisdictions also subject violators to very heavy potential fines). Operating heavy machinery (IE: automobiles) on the public ways is a privilege that carries great responsibility, the consequences of not taking that responsibility seriously should be greater than they currently are in Massachusetts.
That assumes that a license
By Scratchie
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:29am
That assumes that a license suspension is any kind of deterrent or inconvenience to the sort of person who would do a hit and run in the first place.
No deterrence to human error
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 3:00pm
People mistake gas pedal for brake pedal, so will some law against doing it make any difference? If someone doesn't see a pedestrian in the dark, legal changes are also ineffective.
Also, LOL@ comparing
By Scratchie
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:30am
Also, LOL@ comparing Massachusetts traffic laws to Germany's.
agreed
By aroy
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 8:58am
This crosswalk is horrible and the recent "improvements" by the mbta only served to make the middle island even narrower (went from 5 feet to being hardly wide enough to stand on). Pedestrians used to avoid pushing the walk button and just crossed one half of the street at a time (which is relatively easy given the lights on either side). Now waiting in the middle island is too dangerous.
This.
By Sally
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:38am
It always feels perilous to stand there in the middle, especially if you're walking a bike or pushing a stroller. I truly hope that this tragedy forces some kind of redesign.
Missing the point of the improvement
By Waquiot
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:06am
Now there is a light, so there is no need to be waiting at the island in the middle. Unless, of course, you are jaywalking, in which case you assume the risk.
This is not to support the driver or attack the victim, since we don't have the facts (except that the driver ran.) I'm just saying that the center island can be narrow now that there are lights.
Center Islands
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:36am
aka "jaywalker launching pads" make the road look like a divided highway.
Divided highway look = drivers intuitively SPEED UP.
That roadway isn't all that wide - the obsession with center islands around here is absurd.
It depends if your strategy
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:13pm
It depends if your strategy for safety is making the urban environment physically friendly to pedestrians, or making a lot of rules and ignoring the fact that they don't work.
Ignoring lights?
By Waquiot
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 2:26pm
I'm missing your point, perhaps. Are you saying that installing a pedestrian traffic light was the wrong move? I few years back I was running the Corridor and almost got hit by a car crossing the then unsignalled crossing (the cross walk was there.) Probably because it was almost I felt for the driver. He was in the right lane on the far side of my crossing, and a box truck in the left lane had stopped to let me cross (sure it's the law, but it's Massachusetts, too.) The car had no idea I was crossing until I ran into his path.
In short, the changes at this crossing are good. I don't even mind breaking my pace to stop at the light, since I know I'll have a safe crossing. Therefore, I would say that installing the lights made the urban environment physically friendly to pedestrians.
And once again, I want to note that I am by no means assigning blame to the pedestrian in today's accident. Or the driver, except that he should have stopped after hitting the pedestrian. I wasn't there. I have no idea what happened.
Crosswalk & underpass
By JennL
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:06am
I live nearby and have been concerned and sending out good thoughts for the person all morning as soon as I realized what happened.
I agree about this crosswalk. The new traffic light seemed to make the crosswalk safer, but there's the greater danger of thinking it is safe to cross when the walk light is on, and then a car comes speeding through.
I think that police recently put cameras in the underpass under Mass Ave at that crosswalk. The underpass has been pretty much un-used for years because it feels unsafe and smells bad. If other people would use the underpass, I would. It does involve some stairs, but it would be worth it to have a safer crossing there.
Underpass User
By Knittyjen
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:44am
I started using the underpass regularly when the construction to "fix" the pedestrian crossing began. It's not in great condition; improvements in smell (I tend to hold my breath on the park side stairs) and drainage would help a lot.
I feel pretty safe using the tunnel, and I've actually started seeing more people using it.
Don't fear the tunnel!
Thank you! I heard from a
By JennL
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:57pm
Thank you! I heard from a couple of other people that the tunnel is an okay choice. I'll use it more now.....
Is that underpass still open?
By Ron Newman
Thu, 03/20/2014 - 1:54am
The last time I used the Mass. Ave. Orange LIne station, about a month ago, the underpass was gated off and the doors on the east side of Mass. Ave. were locked. This was around 10 pm on a weekday, after a Jordan Hall concert let out.
Yikes
By jaypee
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:14am
Between this part cordoned off and the work being done around Huntington and Mass. Ave., the traffic is still moving at a glacial pace this morning around the entire area. I was glad to be walking for sure. I hope the individual hit makes a full and speedy recovery!
Editorial decision here
By adamg
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:30am
Let's not to make this another bicycle thread. Anon users: If you try, anyway, I just won't make your comments public. People with accounts: Count to ten, please.
Respectfully...
By Sally
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:43am
why would it, since this is a car/pedestrian incident? I'd say that the concerns of cyclists and pedestrians overlap here--I'm thinking of all the times I've stood waiting to cross, often with older people on foot (lots of elderly in this area) and we've exchanged nervous laughter or eye rolls as drivers zoom past close enough to flutter the scarves around our necks. A better crossing design would benefit everyone, including drivers who presumably aren't actually trying to kill anyone.
Allocation of right or way width
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:38pm
Pedestrian refuge islands and medians show a 50% reduction in accidents while bike lanes barely show any reduction in accidents, if at all. Hence, medians wide enough for pedestrians to stop/stay are far more valuable for public safety than using that width for bike lanes. We should also ask if sidewalk widths are excessive and some of that width would better serve the safety of other users like cyclists and crossing pedestrians. At bus/subway stops sidewalk can get congested and width is needed, however that's the exception, not the rule.
Another bike discussion? To get over 200 comments again, the subject might have to be gay bicyclists on parade or something.
"Pedestrian refuge islands
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:44pm
"Pedestrian refuge islands and medians show a 50% reduction in accidents while bike lanes barely show any reduction in accidents, if at all. "
Wrong.
http://transalt.org/issues/bike/bikefaq
"According to the DOT's Pedestrian Safety Study and the most recent Sustainable Streets Index, streets with bike lanes have about 40 percent fewer crashes ending in death or serious injury, and that's for all street users: drivers and pedestrians included. For example, after a parking-protected bike lane was installed on Manhattan's Ninth Avenue, all traffic-related injuries dropped 50 percent. Injuries to pedestrians dropped 29 percent and injuries to cyclists dropped 57 percent."
Look, you're a well known bike-lane fighter. Give it a damn rest. Adam's "let's not make this about bikes" comment wasn't license for you to make untrue statements and insults like some kid who hides behind his parent and gives the other kid the finger.
FAQ is crap
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 2:41pm
Where are the studies? NYC pro-bike car fighters make all sorts of claims using anecdotal data for cherry-picked locations.
Translation
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 3:16pm
The actual gathering of factual information on the result of an intervention didn't validate my beliefs! So it must be wrong!
Go back to reading your copy of The Pink Swastika, okay?
here
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 3:21pm
Here you go, Mark Kaepplein. Odd that you work as a programmer but haven't figured out google yet.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=NYC+DOT+Pedestrian+Safety+Study
anon bully?
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 5:41pm
Cowardly attempt to bully people by using their name and occupation while hiding behind an anon log in. So, what's your name and zip code?
Fair enough
By nm
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 8:43pm
I generally have little time for what Markk has to say, but WTF. If you want to shut him down, then show him how he is wrong, or ignore.
If you want to shut him down,
By Scratchie
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:51pm
Um yeah, did you miss the part where he posted a link to the study that shows Markkk is full of shit?
One biased study is hardly conclusive
By Markk02474
Thu, 03/20/2014 - 2:04am
Here are less biased resources to find studies.
Search for the effectiveness and confidence level of studies on accident countermeasure you like: http://www.cmfclearinghouse.org/advsearch.cfm
Search for studies and publications here: http://www.trb.org/Main/Home.aspx
The appointed head of NYC's Transportation department has been very outspoken in her anti-car ideology and goals, hence products of her organization all have that slant.
I'm sure the driver just didn't see them
By spin o rama
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:42am
Maybe its time for the state to look into laws with some teeth that actually protect vulnerable road users from distracted and bad drivers.
Some European countries have laws that automatically place the majority of the blame on a driver, which would force drivers to be more aware, drive slower and generally act in a safer manner, lest they find themselves in court facing charges.
Hell the reason you see so many dashcam YouTube videos coming out of Russia is due to the liability/fault laws that exist there and the need for drivers to protect themselves legally with evidence in the event of a traffic incident.
that
By canta
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 9:53am
and the low angled sun really beats down mass ave at that time. such a sad thing to happen...
Low angled sun
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:28am
If you can't deal with it, get off the road, slow down, find another route, etc.
No excuses.
It was pretty dark at 6am
By Dark man
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:51am
sunrise today was 6:49am
http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweathe...
What was the pedestrian wearing?
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:51pm
Was it clothing easily seen before sunrise? Did he have the walk signal?
As long as we have juries........
By Pete Nice
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:09am
Laws like that will never go into effect.
Well of course there would be court hearing
By spin o rama
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:59am
I wouldn't advocate for circumventing someones right to a fair trial. But maybe we can take a cue from some of the dog bite laws that we have.
I'm a very fuzzy on the legal language of them but I'm led to understand that many US states have laws on the books that place the blame solely on the dog owner. I think this is called "strict liability" and only applies to civil court. So the owner is found at fault for civil damages automatically but any criminal charges could be dealt with in a criminal court with a jury. Right?
From what I've read, in strict liability the blame cannot be shifted to the victim. If you retain a get-out for the vulnerable party’s fault, an insurance company can argue that the blame lies not with their insured policy holder but with the other party.
Who is the victim?
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:39pm
A pedestrian who crosses the road when he has a red light (orange hand) and damages a vehicle makes the vehicle owner the victim, legally speaking.
That explains the hit and run
By Michael
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:59pm
He probably took off because he felt so victimized
Nope, just illegal alien
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:36pm
missing "documentation" like a driving license. Could also be legal, but had driving license expired, suspended, revoked, expired registration, expired inspection, no insurance etc.. So many RMV fees, excise taxes, and insurance payments to keep track of...
OK, point taken
By Michael
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:50pm
No American would do a hit-and-run
♪ ♫ My home sweeeeeeet hooooooome ♪ ♫
Generally the guy in the hospital...
By Sally
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:26pm
or the morgue is considered the victim. Oddly enough in these accidents involving a car and a pedestrian that is usually the pedestrian. Hard to believe, I know.
You do understand that this is a crosswalk we're talking about here, right? Not someone bolting across 95 north?
Its a signalized crosswalk
By Markk02474
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:30pm
So, when there is a orange hand, pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way, motor vehicles and bicycles have the right of way during that time. They get a turn too.
They still do NOT have the right
By Sally
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 1:56pm
To mow down a pedestrian. But feel free to keep arguing that they do.
I agree, but...
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 2:19pm
I agree that drivers don't have the right to mow down pedestrians, but I don’t think that’s what Mark is saying. I agree with him, if a pedestrian crosses when they have the red hand (stop light) they are jaywalking (breaking the law) and taking their own safety in their hands. If cars have to obey the traffic laws then pedestrians should have to obey them too. I just passed the intersection where this happened and a group of pedestrians brazenly crossed the street while I had the green light, while I didn't hit any of them, I laid on my horn until they all passed.
I don’t know the facts of what happened, if this person jaywalked or if the driver ran the red light, either way it’s a terrible situation and my thoughts are with the deceased’s family.
pretty sure using your horn in this way is illegal too
By anon
Wed, 03/19/2014 - 5:25pm
Horn use is only legal when it's a matter of safety - like if the pedestrians weren't looking and were about to step in front of your moving vehicle - You are not supposed to use it express your displeasure at someone who was doing something illegal, like jaywalking.
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