Residents ask for crosswalk on Northeast Fourth Street following accident

Published 10:43 am Thursday, May 9, 2013

Two teenage boys were injured, one seriously, late on the afternoon on May 2 when they tried to cross heavily congested Northeast Fourth Street in the Highlands and were hit by a vehicle, according to the Renton Police Department.

The two teenagers, who are 13 and 14 and both students at McKnight Middle School, were crossing in the 3700 block of Northeast Fourth Street from the north at about 4:50 p.m. when a man eastbound on Fourth Street hit them, according to police. The driver wasn’t injured.

One teen suffered  serious injuries to his head and body and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in serious condition, according to police.

The second teen was taken to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue for treatment of injuries.

The Renton Police Traffic Unit is investigating the accident.

In response to the accident last week, the city has received multiple calls for a new crosswalk in the area.

Carolyn Bynum, who lives in the area and said she is “forced to take unsafe measures” to cross the busy street when she gets on and off the bus to go to work, on Monday presented the City Council with a petition signed by about 100 residents asking for a new crosswalk at Northeast Fourth and Queen Avenue, near where the accident took place.

Bynum said the nearest crosswalk to the bus stop is two blocks in either direction, which causes people to “put their lives at risk every day” when crossing the street.

City officials said they were looking into the possibility of a new crosswalk.

“Our transportation staff is looking into the request, as well as analyzing information and options to provide the best, safest options for the area,” said City Administrator Jay Covington Wednesday in an email. “We’ll be working this over the next few weeks and developing options and a possible recommendation for the Council to consider.”

According to Renton School District Spokesperson Randy Matheson, McKnight Middle School, where both boys attend the eighth grade, has been in contact with the families and received updates of the boy’s injuries and recovery.

The families were busy with helping the boys through recovery and requested that visitation to the hospital be minimal. McKnight principal Craig Cooper communicated with staff about the injuries and provided information on how to handle student inquires.

School staff has reiterated to students the importance of being safe when out in the community and crossing busy streets.

There is no word yet on whether there will be any fundraisers for the boys.