Driver not cited for hitting pedestrian in Ingersoll crosswalk
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The marked crosswalk in the 2800 block of Ingersoll Avenue. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
A driver who struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk on Ingersoll Avenue was not cited, according to a Des Moines Police Department traffic report acquired by Axios last week.
Why it matters: The decision not to issue a citation from the Nov. 3 incident has drawn concern from pedestrian safety advocates, who point out that Iowa law requires drivers to yield to people in crosswalks.
- DMPD says there was no opportunity for the driver to yield.
Catch up quick: Police received a call about the crash at 3:24 p.m. on Nov. 3.
- The pedestrian was walking northbound across Ingersoll Avenue at the designated crosswalk near Mister Car Wash and Starbucks, according to a traffic report.
- The driver was leaving Mister Car Wash and turning left toward downtown Des Moines.
Zoom in: According to the report, the driver told officers he was looking behind him, and when he looked forward, he saw the pedestrian but couldn't stop in time.
- The pedestrian's girlfriend told police that her boyfriend began crossing the road after a semi-truck with a trailer passed and did not see a car behind it and stepped in front of the vehicle.
- He was taken to Methodist Medical Center with a broken leg and a possible broken arm.
What they're saying: Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said the driver wasn't cited because there was no opportunity to yield, as the driver and the pedestrian did not see each other.
- Carol Maher, founder of Ride On Des Moines, a local cycling and pedestrian advocacy group, said drivers have a legal duty to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- She says there's a sign on the crosswalk at Ingersoll noting the state law.
- "It's not the pedestrian's responsibility to make sure the driver is looking forward at the right time," Maher tells Axios.
Between the lines: It's unclear in the police report if the flashing crosswalk light was used or if the officer asked about it, though Maher notes the flashing light is not a requirement for vehicles to yield.