Two women who were crossing SE Foster Blvd at 80th Ave on foot last night were struck by a car. One woman, 23 year old Lindsay Leonard, died on the scene. The other, 29 23 year old Jessica Finlay, is in critical condition.
According to the Oregon State Police, the women were crossing Foster in a crosswalk southbound from the Fred Meyer parking lot. Here’s more from the OSP: “The vehicle was travelling westbound on Foster and witnesses stated that it appeared neither pedestrian saw the vehicle approaching.”
Local TV station KPTV interviewed neighbors who say the intersection is poorly lighted. The intersection has a painted crosswalk and a small pedestrian island, but no traffic lights or pedestrian signal.
Witnesses told KOIN that a bus had stopped in the right lane to let the women cross, but that the person driving in the left lane did not see them.
Local business Sock Dreams has confirmed via Twitter that Leonard was an employee. Sock Dreams has been active in the bicycle community, sponsoring events such as Filmed by Bike and the Pedalpalooza Kickoff Dance Party.
The three bicycle fatalities in Portland so far this year have all been in the far eastern part of the city; many occurred in areas like this one where infrastructure is primarily designed for driving cars.
There were two other pedestrian crashes in the area over the weekend, both on highways, one fatal.
Update – November 3, 10:00am – The police bureau has released the identity of the driver, 40-year-old Tito Jose Feliciano of Vancouver, Washington. He has not been cited or charged.
A commenter has informed us that Ms. Finlay is suffering head trauma and remains in critical condition.