WE need to have blinking sidewalks so people can be seen crossing the street when there is no light. There are some dangerous ones on Alma where there is a crosswalk but no light and alma Everett and there are others

My sympathies to his family and friends. We cross ECR at Wilton all the time and it is very scary because cars DO NOT STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALKS, even mid-day!

If a car does stop for a pedestrian, the ones behind it go around and don't stop.

We REALLY NEED ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PALO ALTO!

Dark colored clothing at night leads to tragedy.

No blinking crosswalks! Especially on ECR, that is insane. Those things are useless, they cause confusion, and they have no way to allow for a continued, timed flow of traffic. ECR is a major thoroughfare and we cannot and should not have crosswalks every few blocks. Pedestrians need to walk to major lights if they aren't capable of making it across unlit crosswalks using judgement. There is a certain amount of responsibility and common sense here, I can guarantee you if I don't know for certain that a car is stopping I will not be walking, crosswalk or not. My heart goes out to the family of this victim but blinking crosswalks is not an answer.

No blinking crosswalks. What's that old song? Signs signs everywhere are signs. At what point do we take back responsibility for ourselves and make smart decisions?

@Don't blink: "we cannot and should not have crosswalks every few blocks"

Uh, yes we should. I'm guessing you don't walk much.

Web Link

According to the police release, the pedestrian has died.

I would like to make a couple of observations. This pedestrian was walking at night wearing dark clothes. Regardless of anything else, it makes sense to walk at night with a flashlight and wearing light colored clothing or even a high visibility vest. We are all ultimately responsible for our own safety and need to be seen.

The driver of the car was in her 70s and stopped after the accident. The reason why she didn't see the pedestrian doesn't stop the fact that she is probably feeling dreadful at present.

Sympathies to the family of the pedestrian and also my sympathies to the driver.

We should and do have crosswalks every few blocks, and both the law and common sense say that drivers are obligated to stop when there's a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The only question is whether blinking crosswalks, or colored crosswalks, or more traffic lights, are the best way to remind drivers of their obligation.

Crossing El Camino in a crosswalk without a traffic light is dangerous, especially when crossing six lanes of traffic. I think that only crossing at traffic lights on El Camino should be allowed as pedestrians crossing without a light pose a danger to themselves and drivers.

A person should be able to cross the street safely regardless of what color clothing he or she is wearing. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk - period. Let's use this tragedy to get Caltrans and the City to improve pedestrian safety on El Camino. Call for better street lighting at crosswalks. Call for flashing beacons or traffic signals. But please do not blame the victim for what happened here.

Last December, I nearly hit someone on a black bicycle-- no lights or reflectors-- wearing black sweats and even a black helmet! This was at 6:00 am on a winter morning just before Christmas!

The bike rider was not visible coming down the gutter on Alma-- until he was smack dab in front of me in the intersection, when my headlights were on him.

If you want to walk or bike ride in the dark, in a city in which most of the street lights are blocked by tree branches, PLEASE make yourself as visible as possible.

Light colored clothing with reflective strips, headgear with flashing lights, reflective sneakers, bicycles with head and tail lights as well as reflectors-- even blinking lights for dog leashes and reflective dog collars: all go a LONG way toward keeping the wearer alive and in one piece!

Just do it!!

I really hate this victim shaming about "wearing dark colored clothes". Realistically, all clothes look dark at night if the crosswalk is poorly lit or the driver has poor night vision. I was almost hit once in a marked crosswalk when I was wearing a bright white shirt. I was coming from the other side of the street and had been in the crosswalk for several seconds before the car arrived. The driver slammed on her brakes just in time and apologized that she couldn't see me. She also happened to be running a stop sign in addition to almost failing to yield to a pedestrian. The problem is that many crosswalks in this city are poorly lit. The population is aging and people don't realize that their night vision gets worse as they age. Drivers need to take necessary precautions, like coming to full 3 second stops at all stop signs to give yourself time to check the crosswalks as well as the cross streets. I wish there were more police patrols to enforce this state law.

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I don't think any of us who advocate for dressing in lighter clothing at night or carrying a flashlight are doing this in any form of victim blaming. Unless we were there, we have no idea of whether the driver or the pedestrian were doing anything reckless. The fact that the pedestrian was not seen by the driver meant that someone died and that is sad.

However, if you Google around you will see that there are many articles suggesting that it is wise for pedestrians to dress in reflective gear, carry flashlights and be more vigilant when crossing at night. Remember cars with headlights are a lot more than visible than something that is not lit.

Here is one article (out of many) that suggests NYPD urges pedestrians to dress in bright colored clothes and use a flashlight at night. Web Link

My suggestion is be wise and be seen at night.

I'm not big on blaming the victim but people really need to pay more attention. We had a huge scare last weekend when some tall thin high school guy rode his skate board right into our car's path on Churchill at around 9PM.

Our car lights were on. The kid was coming from the Paly lot and had on dark clothes, no lights, no reflectors and no reaction to the near miss.

If that sounds like your son, please talk to him.

It is easy to understand how this tragedy occurred.The white crosswalk markings along ECR there including that corner are all faded badly. The two yellow crosswalk signs are the third in a
series of crosswalk signs,and as such become
part of the sign-clutter and become less noticable
to drivers, and a crosswalk at an uncontrolled
intersection on a major arterial like ECR is not
common or standard practice or expected by a driver. Meanwhile a pedestrian may assume that the signs are effective and proceed in a less defensive mode than if there were no signs or no markings. In Atherton on ECR where there was a recent fatality
they installed a pedestrian controlled traffic light with a crosswalk at that corner.

Why does everyone think that drivers need to have super sonic vision at night to see pedestrians who wear dark clothes and don't carry flashlights. No, it's not up to CalTrans to ensure that practically invisible people can cross six lanes of road where the speed limit is 35 mph and there is no traffic light. Pedestrians do bear some responsibility. Kids used to be taught to "stop, look, and listen", now this mindset has changed to it's up to everyone else to make sure I'm safe. Go ahead and have that attitude. You won't last long.

Pedestrians should not be encouraged to cross El Camino where there are no traffic lights. Come on people!

Interesting that the Mercury-News report on this fatality is titled "Pedestrian struck by SUV in Palo Alto dies of injuries". Palo Alto Online says "hit by car", although it does identify the vehicle as a Toyota Highlander, which is a SUV. Web Link

That does make me wonder about whether a SUV driver has a poorer view of pedestrians in crosswalks than the driver of a smaller car. Is it wise for an elderly person to be driving a SUV, especially at night?

I see people run over the pedstrian crosswalk sign on Cowper in front of the Garden Court Hotel everyday. That is even during the bright sunny day and the thing is bright neon yellow and stands about 4'. I always say that could have been a kid. People almost get hit there all the time. Drivers don't seem to be paying as much attention as they should.

I am very saddened at all of you being politically correct about lights and blinking, or dark clothes just slow down.
Just whatever. David and I grew up in Palo alto went to Addison, Jordan And Paly. Thats our home I will miss him

"I am very saddened at all of you being politically correct about lights and blinking, or dark clothes just slow down."

When did plain commonsense self-preservation become PC?

Why not bend a bit and help those drivers save your life? Wear light and/or reflective clothing at night, keeping in mind that modern headlights tend to beam their illumination below your knees.

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Dear Curmudgeon.

Thank you for comments. Have a wonderful evening.

Cal Trans, which controls El Camino Real, has had two recent huge judgements against it for failing to correct the hazardous conditions created by marked crosswalks without stoplights...and now another death has occurred. How many deaths or serious injuries will it take before Cal Trans STOPS allowing these extremely hazardous conditions to exist?

Web Link

Web Link

These types of marked crosswalks without stoplights along El Camino Real are not only extremely hazardous for pedestrians but they create hazardous driving conditions as well. Not too long ago, I was stopped behind two vehicles while a pedestrian crossed in an marked crosswalk without a stoplight along El Camino Real, and my vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling in excess of 35 mph, in broad daylight. The vehicle never braked prior to impact with my vehicle. My vehicle was a complete loss and I suffered numerous injuries. The driver was responsible, but the hazardous crosswalk was the set up.

Is it just me or do these threads seem to always be a dumping ground for people who have all the answers . . . I rarely read posts on this site because of how vicious people are in their comments, (without the facts). If it's a horrific pedestrian death, or an issue at PAUSD, or a new business it doesn't matter, nothing is sacred. Please stop and think for one moment. Remember, you don't have all the facts. In many cases you don't have any facts. If you did, you would not be allowed to write about them, by law.
David attended Jordan and Paly back in the day. I can picture him and his pal BD hanging out. He was a life long Palo Altan - and whatever the circumstances, it's very sad that his life was cut short and that he died so tragically. My sympathies to his friends and family. I'm very sorry.

David, was a kind man and even though his life turned out a bit rough around the edges and he was living in a camper near where he was hit. We must remember that this person was someone's son, brother, uncle and friend to many. This is a tragedy no matter how you look at it. Thoughts and prayers to his family and his friends, especially all that knew him by the name "Gator," which he went by. May he rest in peace.

One thing we should consider is if the person that got hit has any mental illness with no place to go.

I saw an individual in that part of El Camino walking across the street with a death wish recently. I mean death wish b/c he would cross when the light was red and hang around that area all the time. Would a sane person cross a busy street on a red light or hang out in the same area all day?

That cross walk is an accident waiting to happen. For those unfamiliar with the road, at night, it's easy to miss it. During the day, in busy traffic, watching for byclusts, easy to miss. I've never had an accident in my life and consider myself a defensive driver and I often miss pedestrians who seem to walk out assuming people will stop. I regularly walk to CA ave from Barron Park and always use crossings with lights. Please get rid of this crossing - there will be more accidents here

The intersection where david Leblanc was hit and killed is a problem. I cross it regularly and when you step in cross walk cars in both directions should stop, but no one ever does. Suggestion keep your eye on intersection, ticket some people to make them aware a crosswalk is a automatic stop sign, in dark clothing at 824 it is dusk the driver should of seen him and should be cited if not for manslaughter for not stopping at the crosswalk, regardless if she claims she saw him or not. I hope you can correct this problem intersection. My daughter was hit by a car while passing the Hong Kong driveway 8/9/17 this intersection is a problem the driver stopped and took responsibility. Whenever I cross at that intersection cars in both directions don't stop and it's broad daylight when I cross. David was disabled so walking to the light isn't a reasonable request for people with disabilities. Yes ECR is used and high traffic but traffic needs to do the speed limit which most don't do again I'm there on the daily and even if pedestrian is on the other side of street I stop doesn't matter if they are on your side or not it is a STOP SIGN all you ignoring the pedestrians and speeding through. Whizzing by my stopped car, um stopped for a reason you should stop too it's THE LAW

Lets be clear, if you can't see a pedestrian because they're wearing black, in a shadow, etc., it means you're driving too fast. Period. I'm shocked that so many people readily admit to this sort of behavior.

Yes !! Robert I completely agree

Robert. Did you read the article? "Speed, drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factor in the collision, according to police."

As several have stated, this is a dangerous intersection. Either remove the crosswalk or install a signaled light.

"Lets be clear, if you can't see a pedestrian because they're wearing black, in a shadow, etc., it means you're driving too fast."

To follow up: One should maintain light to moderate pressure on the brake pedal at all times when in motion. The other foot should be flat on the floor.

Once again Curmudgeon's efforts at humor belie his inability to grasp common sense and decency.
A pedestrian in a crosswalk ALWAYS has the right of way.
It's the law.
Read the drivers handbook and operate your vehicle safely and appropriately.
There is no need to "ride the brake" if you are paying attention and obeying the law, you will be able to stop safely if needed.
Someone has been seriously injured and your (Curmudgeon's) dark and twisted humor is not appropriate here.

Of COURSE a pedestrian in a crosswalk always has the right of way! But if you can't see the person you can't see them. There is an intersection in my neighborhood where the morning sun shines at just the particular angle that often I cannot see people crossing, they're in that "super bright light" and literally are invisible. just for a very few seconds but enough that if I wasn't driving very carefully (because I know this intersection at this time of day) I could very easily hit someone. I know this because I almost did years ago and I know to be extra careful at this turn now.

I get back to the point that pedestrians have a HUGE responsibility to make sure they're crossing safely. For the very reason I gave in the example above. I teach my kids that you do NOT walk out into a street until you are certain the car has seen you and is stopping. I don't care if it's a crosswalk with a timed signal, blinking lights or clowns jumping in the street, you don't go until you know the car is stopping!

Because you can be as "right" as anything but being right doesn't matter for anything if you're dead!

Seriously ?
You defense to hitting someone would be "The sun was in my eyes " ?
If the Sun is in your eyes, then you need to slow down.
The Law says that you cannot drive faster than is safe for conditions.
As a driver you should know that.
As someone who drives that stretch of road, you should be particularly aware of that requirement.

OK Operate Safely, let me spell it out for you even more. This particular place, this place where the bright sun hits my windshield so strongly that for a brief couple of seconds I'm blinded, this particular place comes out of no where. I have also learned that It also only occurs at certain times of the year depending on the angle of the sun

So when I am driving WELL UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT through my residential neighborhood where I know there are kids biking to school and people walking dogs, EVEN THOUGH I am driving extremely carefully, the first time I came upon this condition I was driving with perfect vision and then BAM. Light hit the windshield and I was blinded. I immediately slowed down of course and very fortunate that I did because some "every car will stop for me idiot" stepped out to cross with his dog and I almost hit him.

He was not in a crosswalk.
I was driving well under the speed limit.
I did not realize the sun was going to come out from behind the tree and blind me.

I learned from that. I am doubly careful turning that intersection now. But someone else new like me who hasn't driven it before could very well experience this same "blind" and hit someone WHO THINKS THEY CAN JUST CROSS AT ANY TIME EVEN WHEN A CAR IS COMING'.

So again. I will say. No pedestrian should ever cross any place, any time in any type of street without having full realization that the car approaching both sees him/her and is slowing down/stopping.

But I have a feeling you're going to come back and argue that pedestrians have rights. And once again it falls back to the very simple "you can be right as anything but what difference if you're dead".

Don't blink

Look I step in all the time car will be in middle lane broad day light and wiz right through crosswalk no attempt to yield for pedestrian. Sun can be blinding but there is no excuse st this intersection to not yield unless u r the "we shouldn't have so many cross walks f it I'm driving through it right in front of me". Of course I don't enter the middle lane I single for them to slow the F down and see who stops for other half of this crosswalk it's sad. PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGT OF WAY THEY HAVE INE TOE IN CROSSWALK ON YOUR SIDE OF OTHER SIDE OF STREET ALL CARS SHOULD SOP ALL SIX LANES ONCE MY TOE ENTERS CROSSWALK PERIOD. So slow downbe alert and don't kill someone else or I hope they charge u with vehiclular mansluaghter period

Look I step in all the time car will be in middle lane broad day light and wiz right through crosswalk no attempt to yield for pedestrian. Sun can be blinding but there is no excuse st this intersection to not yield unless u r the "we shouldn't have so many cross walks f it I'm driving through it right in front of me". Of course I don't enter the middle lane I signal for them to slow the F down and see who stops for other half of this crosswalk it's sad. PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY THEY HAVE ONE TOE IN CROSSWALK ON YOUR SIDE OR OTHER SIDE OF STREET ALL CARS SHOULD STOP ALL SIX LANES ONCE MY TOE ENTERS CROSSWALK PERIOD. So slow down be alert and don't kill someone else or I hope they charge u with vehiclular mansluaghter PERIOD

Just to be clear..
"Concerned" and "Concerned Edited Version" isn't me posting by another name.
But I do agree with them.

Operate safely

Whoops operate safely and I are two different people and smiles to operate safely

I personally find it incredible to think that at least two people here are of the opinion that a driver will always be able to see someone in the dark dressed in dark clothes while driving at the speed limit.

This particular accident happened at what was probably dusk on the evening in question.

There are many occasions when pedestrians act in an unpredictable manner and step into the roadway without paying attention. If a car is approaching and doesn't have enough time to brake, that pedestrian will be hit. It is the law that the drivers have to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but rationally speaking, pedestrians have to act predictably and be visible. If not, they are not helping themselves as responsible road users. And yes, pedestrians are road users when crossing and should be paying as much attention as any vehicle operator.

Dear Resident


Know your laws I don't care what I am wearing, what time of day it is, as a pedestrian, once I put my toe in crosswalk, it is a automatic stop sign and ticketable in the city of Palo Alto. Several occasions I am in the middle lane, I see the pedestrian, I stop and lanes on both sides of me wiz through intersection, narrowly missing pedestrian. If u see a car stopped at a crosswalk, know that it is usually for a reason,. I made the mistake at 17, by the JCC, someone was in the opposite side of crosswalk, I was furthest from them and got a ticket, best ticket I ever got, now I see a crosswalk, I look from both sides slow down and proceed with caution get a clue wake up before u r ticketed or kill someone

Concerned - the way you speak it sounds to me that you are one of those people who hides at a crosswalk and soon as you see a car you decide to put your toe down just to be awkward.

I hope you never put your guard down even once as a driver and keep your eyes peeled without ever needing to sneeze because what you say scares me as a human being.

Are I kidding me hell no I don't hide who would do that I am disabled I have a spine injury again know your laws before u are charged with vehicular manslaughter everyone knows about these comments if u hit me it will be manslaughter to the person that believes pedestrians are at fault and are not ever at fault doesn't matter what I'm wearing I am a pedestrian and I have the right of way PERIOD

R.I.P. Gator, your work, and willingness to always help others will be missed.

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