Woman hit by Postal Service semi, in ICU in critical condition
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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Sally Dickens wasn't surprised to learn a truck hit a woman just across the street from Dickens' home.
The victim was struck by post office semi truck while walking in the crosswalk around 7 p.m. Tuesday night.
"It's scary, it's very frightening, even when you are crossing the crosswalk," Dickens said of the intersection of Gateway Loop and Gateway Street.
The truck dragged the victim for 50 feet, the driver unaware he had hit a person, police said.
Witnesses flagged down the driver, but he only stopped for a few moments and continued on the the Gateway postal facility.
The victim is in critical condition in intensive car at Sacred Heart Hospital at RiverBend with a borken leg and lacerated spleen.
The interesection worries Dickens.
"Even when you push the button to walk a couple of times, my grandson and I almost got hit by a speeding car that just went right through," she said.
Police are aware it is a problem area.
"The Gateway area is the busiest area in the city, and not just vehicular traffic but pedestrian traffic," Sgt. John Umenhoffer said.
Residents who live in the area told KVAL News they sometimes feel unsafe, especially after dark.
"People don't pay attention anyway," said Kayla Barrett, "so if they don't pay attention when it gets dark they are obviously not going to see people crossing the street."
So am I the only one to note that "the driver only stopped for a few moments and carried on to the post office facility? Is the driver being cited? Does being flagged down, stopped, and then carrying on count as a hit-and-run? Why isn't that angle being investigated?
Hello a truck is almost as big as a small house and you didn't see it ? Bet you see the next one. I hope she recovers quickly
Almost every 22 year old woman I see walking is busy looking at her cell phone.....in the mall, on the street, in the parking lot....if they appear to be under 30, they have a cell phone held in their hand with a busy thumb...even driving down the street.
hope the woman survives and recovers 100%
okay then, we'll just ban cars.. that will fix it.Â
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pay attention, the drivers should and maybe don't , but pedestrians should be more careful as well.Â
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If you don't make eye contact, don't just assume something, you'd be the only one getting hurt here.Â
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Why should millions of dollars be spent for this or that?
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Everyone wants something
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So if as Kayla says "they don't pay attention" Â then why don't you pay attention to the fact they are not paying attention and don't walk into an accident of which you are the only one getting hurt?.Â
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BTW it was not a "post office mail truck". Â Its a private contractor.Â
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 @Jason Marks agree with your survival instincts.  We do not know exactly what happened.  Some folks just do not move well because of age or disabilities.  There is apartments in the area that house hundreds of people.  Maybe a lower speed limit is in order. A woman may die from her injuries, it is OK to lighten up some in these instances.
 @drinkmorewaterÂ
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that area is dark, when i go down that road to head to the gym.. i have to pay extra attention for peds... it is not a lack of attention necessarily, but like the police said, its high traffic of all kinds , plus I think that intersection is pretty dark and has alot of shadows.Â
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Wish the accident victim a thorough recovery.Â
 @Jason Marks  @drinkmorewater I got it, if we put a flashing light on the walk sign comes on when the walk symbol is lit
 @Jason Marks  @drinkmorewater Reflective clothing need to be worn and more readily available for purchase.  When one walks in a Fred Meyer, Wal-Mart, etc. have displays of reflective jackets etc.. It would be good PR and help peds and drivers.