NORTH ST. LOUIS – Police said a woman in North St. Louis died this week after being hit by two cars at a busy crosswalk. They said both drivers left the scene after hitting the woman, who was in a wheelchair.
It happened at the crosswalk at the intersection of Page and Clarendon, just east of Union Boulevard. Records show the woman was headed north across Page when a black sedan traveling westbound hit her, knocking her to the ground. Shortly after that, police said a white SUV struck her.
Both drivers left the scene. The woman was pronounced dead at the hospital from her injuries.
North City resident Ronald Harshaw lives right by the crosswalk and catches the bus there every day for work. He said the intersection is extremely dangerous for pedestrians.
“They don’t stop!” Harshaw explained. “If you’re in the middle of the street, just be careful, because they won’t stop for you.”
Harshaw said the flashing lights accompanying the crosswalk are worthless.
“That’s pointless to be there, because you touch it, and it’s like they’re not paying attention to it. So, it’s pointless to be there,” he said.
Aaron Pyatt lives in a home on the north side of Page, right in front of the crosswalk. He said he waits until there are no cars in sight before he tries to cross the street.
“You got to really look both ways before you cross the street out here,” Pyatt said.
Pyatt said multiple people have been hit trying to use the crosswalk at the busy intersection since he moved in just a year ago. Still, he is stunned that both drivers in this instance drove off.
“I personally have a conscience, so I can’t believe somebody would be able to do that. I guess they were worried about getting in trouble,” Pyatt said.
Neighbors have a simple message: do something, anything, to make this intersection safer for residents. After all, people need to be able to cross the street safely to go about their lives.
“At least put a stoplight up, a stop sign, something. Because if cars don’t have anything telling them to stop, they’re not going to stop,” Harshaw said.
The police said the accident reconstruction team is still investigating the crash.
FOX 2 reached out to Ward 10 Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, who represents the area. Hubbard says she’s working to make intersections like this one in her ward safer.
Clark provided us with the following statement:
“This is heartbreaking , The compounding issues in our City of traffic lawlessness, pedestrian safety, as well as the disparity of road accidents involving pedestrians using wheelchairs resulting in fatalities escalate with these types of outcomes. At a time where so many are working diligently and collectively to find real solutions the implementation will never be fast enough. Personally I am praying that the two drivers will tap into any ounce of compassion they have in their hearts and turn themselves in, while continuing to put whatever time and resources I have in my position as Alderperson to assist in ongoing traffic calming efforts and plans with MoDot and our St.Louis City Street Department on Page Blvd.”
— Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, Ward 10 Alderperson, City of St. Louis.