Posted on Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 5:44 a.m.
Ypsilanti man, 87, struck and killed by pickup truck
By Cindy Heflin
An 87-year-old Ypsilanti man walking across Washtenaw Avenue on Tuesday night was struck and killed by a pickup truck, Ypsilanti police said.
The man was lying in the roadway in the 900 block of Washtenaw Avenue in Ypsilanti when police arrived after being called to the scene at 8:39 p.m., a press release said.
Firefighters and Huron Valley Ambulance personnel also responded and tried to revive the man. He was taken to an area hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival, the release said. His name was not released.
The driver of the truck was interviewed and released, police said. The accident is still being investigated.
Comments
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Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
This death adjacent to EMU's campus is a tragedy! Instead of compassion for the victim, some of the comments from my so-called "concerned" fellow neighbors indicate that they find it more fruitful to slant the truth and make personal attacks against others (because they have differing opinions). The 87-year old man killed was most likely someone's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. To state that he was "wandering" simply because of his age is beyond despicable! To suggest that Mr. Golder has commented on this tragedy solely to further his valid complaints against EMU is equally deplorable and indicates the ignorance of anyone making such comments. My thoughts and concerns are for this victim and the future tragedies which will result from the lack of proper planning by EMU & the City of Ypsilanti to accommodate the expansion of EMU and the resulting traffic increase near the EMU campus.
City Confidential
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
Joe is right. This area is too wide to get across safely - especially if you have problems moving quickly due to physical limitations. That stretch of road is up to SIX lanes wide. I don't feel safe trying to get across that many lanes before the signal changes - imagine how difficult it is for 87 year olds. He is also right that the EMU projects have brought a considerable amount of traffic to that specific area, moving in all directions. The assertion that this was the result of an elderly person "wandering" in traffic is DEEPLY offensive to this gentleman and to all of our elders - just because someone is over the age of 65 does not mean that they have dementia. Ann Arbor news - what happened to your enforcement of comment rules that bar people from blaming the victim in cases like this? Unless the story stated that this man had "wandered" into the street, I think it is disrespectful to allow such a suggestion here.
Jen Eyer
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
You are correct that wandering is not an appropriate word in this case. However, I'm going to leave the comment because the comment contains other points, and has a reply attached to it. Thank you for bringing it to our attention; we'll keep a better eye on this.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
I used to live near there on Normal St. When I lived there, a young woman was hit and killed while trying to cross the street. The speed limit there is either 25mph or 30mph but people regularly shoot through there at 45-50mph. I used to too until that woman was killed and I realized how dangerous my behavior was.
LC
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
Joe, I find it repulsive that you would use this tragedy to further your complaining about EMU and Oakwood. This accident did not happen as a result of traffic congestion caused by your precious corner at Oakwood and Washtenaw. This was the result of an elderly gentleman wandering into traffic. You should be ashamed of yourself for your comments.
Angela Barbash
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
LC, do you live in this area, or travel this section of Washtenaw regularly? There's no doubt that it is a dangerous intersection, from the Water Tower down to Oakwood. I agree with everyone else here, you have no idea that this gentleman was 'wandering' into traffic. Do you remember when the two college kids were killed on Halloween back in 02 or 03? People speed and drive recklessly through that area because there has not been proper planning to manage the increase in traffic, simply put. I believe everyone here, including Joe, are more concerned about the pedestrians that you would believe. Luckily they're willing to stand up and say something about it.
Midtowner
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.
I live less than a block away from where this happened. This accident sets squarely on the shoulders of the people who don't enforce the speed limit but show up to clean up the mess.
joe golder
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
@ LC My neighbors and I have been fighting for many years to improve the conditions here near the main entrance to EMU on Washtenaw so something like this wouldn't happen. A month ago a student was hit ta the intersection. No one is more repulsed than I to hear someone was killed as a result of ad-hok planning with no oversight performed with misappropriated funds. To say I am using this tragedy to further our argument concerning the conditions here is beyond stupid. Trust me there is nothing precious about this corner. All of us here will continue to complain about this unreal situation. I have been screaming someone is going to get killed. Well LC guess what the worst is on its way regardless. Is it open season on wandering humans LC? This city couldn't plan a birthday party. Pedestrians have the right of way. The speed limit is 35. There is nothing residential about washtenaw.
murph
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
Although Joe does have a personal concern, his point is valid. Without knowing all the facts about the crash, we know that a driver hit and killed a pedestrian in an area with known concerns for pedestrian safety. The project Joe references has the explicit intent of allowing vehicular traffic to move more quickly and freely in this area, with a side effect widening the distance that a pedestrian has to travel to navigate the intersection - so it would leave pedestrians exposed to traffic for longer periods of time, while that traffic is moving faster. Joe isn't the only one concerned that we're making this area less safe.
glimmertwin
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
I wondered what was going on last night trying to get home. That area can be challenging for pedestrians. Very sad.
joe golder
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
Wait until they add the new west bound rt turn into campus making it 6 lanes to cross and the 5th lane on N. Oakwood. I live on Washtenaw and have pot luck dinners with neighbors. Neighbors living across the street actually drive because they are so terrified of Washtenaw. I find it funny that EMU stealthily piled truck loads of manure in our front yards and the city tells us to bad maybe you should move if you don't like it. I have had 5 cars crash into my property since EMU widened Oakwood and turned it into their main entrance with no imput from the city. Not even a public hearing. This is the second time the city is helping EMU steal grant money.