City traffic engineers on Wednesday inspected a South Side crosswalk to see if changes are needed to improve safety after an elderly woman was struck and killed there by a Fire Department vehicle.
Meanwhile, Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco said firefighters and paramedics would be reminded of the need for vigilance behind the wheel, though there are no indications of wrongdoing by the driver involved in the accident Monday.
Carrie Boston, 69, was fatally injured after she stepped from a median into the crosswalk outside the senior citizen building where she lived on South Chicago Avenue near 92d Street, officials said. Boston had been walking to a drugstore across the street from her building.
The traffic engineers “did an inventory of the existing conditions,” said Brian Steele, a spokesman for the city’s Transportation Department. “We also met with the management staff at the senior center to get a better understanding and update on accessibility and mobility needs” of residents.
Department officials will analyze the information “and ultimately narrow that down into specific recommendations” if changes are deemed necessary, Steele said.
Ald. William Beavers (7th) had flashing yellow lights installed at the crosswalk in 2004, but the solar-powered devices operate only several hours a day–from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 4:30 p.m.–based on what officials determined would be most helpful to senior residents. The accident happened at 6:30 p.m.
Hard-wiring the lights would have been more costly and, more important, a 24-hour flashing light is considered less effective in drawing motorist attention to a spot than one that operates only at certain times, Steele said.
“Even without flashing lights, the crosswalk design is safe and effective and meets all local, state and federal guidelines,” he said.
The crosswalk has painted diagonal slashes, and nearby signs indicate wheelchair use in the area, he said.
A traffic light or stop sign at the crosswalk would be inappropriate because an existing light is located about a quarter block away, Beavers said. A new street light at the crosswalk “could help,” he said.
But “this was just an accident,” said Beavers, who questioned whether it could have been avoided.
It was dark and raining at the time the victim stepped into the street.
“They looked at this woman, and she had all dark clothes, a black umbrella,” Beavers said.
“What we see right now is just a terrible, tragic accident,” Orozco said. “We have no reason to believe the driver was exceeding the speed limit.
“I am not a major accident investigator,” he said. I think it is best to let the professionals handle it. They will issue a report, and we’ll get a look at what is going on.”
In the meantime, “we are reinforcing with members [of the department] to be more cognizant when we are on the street,” the commissioner said. “We are on the street a lot.”
The Police Department continued to investigate the accident on Wednesday.
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gwashburn@tribune.com
