Photo by Vince Fedoroff
COLLISION PROVES FATAL – Emergency personnel work at the scene of Tuesday evening’s collision between a truck and a wheelchair at the intersection of Second Avenue and Strickland Street. Below: an RCMP officer ensures the scene remains secured pending the arrival of the police force’s collision reconstructionist, expected this afternoon.
Photo by Vince Fedoroff
An RCMP officer ensures the scene remains secured pending the arrival of the police force’s collision reconstructionist, expected this afternoon.
A 71-year-old woman in a motorized wheelchair died Tuesday evening after she was struck by a truck in downtown Whitehorse.
A 71-year-old woman in a motorized wheelchair died Tuesday evening after she was struck by a truck in downtown Whitehorse.
An EMS team transported the woman to Whitehorse General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Whitehorse RCMP were called at 6:30 p.m. after the collision at the intersection of Second Avenue and Strickland Street, police said in a news release issued this morning.
Alcohol is not considered a factor in the collision, police said.
The driver is a 72-year-old Whitehorse resident.
Names were not released.
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Comments (35)
Up 0 Down 0
Nopants on Mar 1, 2016 at 7:17 pm
2nd Street is nuts and I don't know what happen in this unfortunate incident. The biggest thing I see and have learned from is when you are driving in the far right lane (north or south) and the inside lane is turning left - you just got to slow down! I seem to see close calls all the time, traffic assumes car is just make a left turn, while pedestrian crossing assumes traffic has fully stopped for them. Just my general opinion. Whole different game crossing in a wheelchair, very sad.
Up 16 Down 9
Alex Franklin on Feb 29, 2016 at 9:15 pm
Things to possiby do
Speed bumps - MUCH better lighting for crosswalks - tickets to drivers AND pedestrians who violate signal controlled intersection ......
of course nothing will be done and we'll all be here again in 6 months
Up 10 Down 23
Alan Munson on Feb 28, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Jessica, I disagree-- there are likely many complaints regarding sleds, that is why bylaw may be checking on them.
And some unknown proportion of sled operators have been drinking and some are likely impaired.
Up 8 Down 26
Josey Wales on Feb 28, 2016 at 6:51 am
Hey Adam, my facts are straight. In fact they are more straight than many we have here in this new "progressive" hip just like anywhere in southern Canada "new" Whitehorse.
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MJ on Feb 27, 2016 at 10:49 am
I've never lived in a place with so many incidents at crosswalks....regardless of which side the fault lies (generally it's a little from column A and column B) ....something has to change. Tragic.
Up 39 Down 2
Rj on Feb 26, 2016 at 8:29 pm
When the Mounties write tickets people complain they don't have anything better to do with their time. When a tragedy happens on the roads people complain the Mounties aren't writing enough tickets. Really?
Accident or not, fault to be placed or not....Terrible loss...sorry for all those involved.
Up 11 Down 20
City Manager and Mayor to on Feb 26, 2016 at 3:39 pm
direct the City to be more safer for debilitated.
Up 24 Down 11
Jessica on Feb 26, 2016 at 12:32 pm
More and more traffic issues that aren't being addressed. Why isn't Bylaw doing something or enforcing bylaw traffic issues? They've put so much manpower into greenbelt trails and sleds that they just don't enforce anything traffic related anymore. How about Bylaw listen to what the public wants and take people off of sleds to catch the two people riding on sleds all day. Instead focus on traffic and public safety ON THE ROADS. Not the trails. The trails isn't nearly as much as an issue as traffic on roadways, with stop signs, speeding, red lights and dangerous drivers. One of the meter maids told me that the bylaw manager scrapped the bylaw traffic position they had to save the department money (At the cost of public safety). City Manager - Review what the hell is going on here!!
Up 33 Down 8
Adam on Feb 25, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Hey Woodcutter and Josey....Have some friggin' respect on these posts! Shame on you! There's a tragic accident with a death involved and you have the audacity to start trying to lay blame wherever. My child has more respect and common sense then you two do! This isn't the place for such moronic posts. I apologize to the families of those involved in the actual accident for these mindless comments.
As well....Get your facts straight. Bylaw Services doesn't have anything to do with moving traffic violations. That is strictly the RCMP's jurisdiction. Bylaw Officers investigate municipal bylaws, whereas the RCMP enforce the territorial laws to do with moving vehicle violations. Kudos to the RCMP and Bylaw for doing what they can with what little manpower they have.
This is a very sad and tragic accident. I encourage other people to be respectful on behalf of the families involved.
Up 6 Down 28
Josey Wales on Feb 25, 2016 at 8:14 pm
WoB...I encourage you to call/visit Mr. Pruden the manager and ask him if they have to legal means to address your points.
you may be surprised at his answer, I was.. did it just the other day.
matter a fact i had a comment time stamped day or two before this "accident" bitching of exactly this issue.
So yes my timing if you will on my "crusade"?
I took Mr. Pruden at his word, whilst disliking his rational for not issuing citations resulting in escalated costs for shitty drivers.
He knows full well my intentions/tenacity and my new tactics.
I'll offer his dept. a opportunity to change the status quo before my next engagement.
WoB I got a few things up my sleeve, all lawful, and I will hold those folks to account using their own "language"
Up 7 Down 33
Josey Wales on Feb 25, 2016 at 6:38 pm
Hmm..seems some folks spent too much time in public school? Seems the reading comprehension class, all got smiley faces.
I said nothing of this accident in particular other than how it's an absolute shame. My point, clearly eluded many and that is too bad.
It seems the mayors town, certainly when cash/land is needed..so too should he hear the public on the carnage I/we see daily in our wee town.
seems By-Law has the legal means to issue citations for moving violations NOT I repeat NOT just "By-Laws".
Yes they can give speeding tickets, rolling stop sign ones...ya picking up what I'm laying down?.
M...there may be more frustrated members than I with our traffic.
But I have to say I see dozens of folks DAILY often the same ones 90 in a 60...130 in a 80...stop signs? Clearly for others.
Heaps-O-s**t with no lights, never should be in traffic..etc.
However I seldom see flashing lights on the highway, seldom in town.
I do see members willfully ignorant of what they see...
We have heaps of members, but really...we need better/more enforcement.
If folks start getting hit with mega fines/insurance increase..most will mellow.
Why fund a dept. not willing to enforce the law but yet bring out the fleet with sleds, the best new trucks, very pricey robo-cam SUV for Mt. Sima ensuring no tickets missed.
If you think traffic/crime are fine, awesome congrats for getting that smiley face.
Just today at that very stretch I slowed down an entitled moron hard, granted she signaled each rapid lane change to get around " less important" folks doing the limit and a tad less (snow/slippery).
Four times in two blocks she tried ramming through, I of course signaled each of my changes as she sped up in my RVM...she was pissed.
Had another dude in Qwanlin mall near run me over on foot today too, he was en-route to rage out on the driver in front of him.
He got out to tune me up aghast at my clear disdain for his aggressive/entitled driving...it did not work.
Hey buddy, if your reading? Yup you met Josey and it went the best it could for you...really it did.
So yes folks, the folks I illustrate very much play a role (I won't get into the courts) in the everyday going ons of our sty.
I do not speed, and drive by the law big time. Why 'cause I'm a goof? Nope, because I've been in the face of all those folks on their turf moderator sans. So a smart guy would never give them the opportunity to do their job..is why.
Can you tell ol' Josey give nary a rats a** if I offend or take you from your "safe space" with my freedom of expression?
Hopefully this gets no edits to remove the context of my "re-illustration" for the "everyone gets a smiley face" crews.
oh yeah..no I do not wish crosswalks/traffic lights/circles everywhere, in fact we have too many is also part of it.
Up 25 Down 12
north_of_60 on Feb 25, 2016 at 5:32 pm
If people operate these small motorized vehicles on the street, then those vehicles should be highly visible and must also be licensed; that's the law.
The CoW has been irresponsibly lax in addressing this issue. The CoW Manager and bureaucrats should do a whole lot better at their jobs for the outrageous salaries and benefits they pocket.
Up 51 Down 2
Fredia on Feb 25, 2016 at 5:19 pm
While out walking with my girlfriend yesterday, she had asked me if I had heard that a lady in a wheelchair had been killed in a traffic accident. I said no. She then said that the day before when she and her husband were driving out of Riverdale that she and her husband witnessed a wheelchair bound lady driving against traffic, not in the center of the road but not close to the sidewalk either. This was on Lewes Blvd. It was dark and they did not see any reflectors on the the wheelchair. She then told me that she turned to her husband and told him 'that lady is going to be killed". While this is still tragic, sometimes it is not the fault of Whitehorse drivers.
Up 25 Down 9
Alice Cyr on Feb 25, 2016 at 3:49 pm
My condolences to the family of the victim and to the driver. It is nothing short of a miracle that someone has not been killed jaywalking across Main St. between Second and Third Avenues. Drivers have their hands full with watching for a parking space, watching for backup lights to come on and pull out in front of you and watching for jaywalkers who act like it is a pedestrian walkway and they have the right of way. I, for one, have stopped stopping for them to sashay across the street in mid-block chatting with friends. Here's where a bylaw and some enforcement would help.
Up 19 Down 3
Alan Munson on Feb 25, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Very sad accident for all involved. Think we all wish it did not happen and it's not cool to speculate and much better to wait for the investigation to run its course.
Yes, drivers in this town are very bad and 2nd and 4th are two very dangerous streets. I recently saw a driver stop for a red light then advance through the red because the traffic was slow off the mark on the green light. And it common to see drivers smoking pot and speeding etc.
Josey Wales twists the knife a little too much but makes some good points. I do think bylaw officers do a good job though. I think they could perhaps respond to some concerns if a few people called regarding the same issue.
Up 32 Down 17
Sad on Feb 25, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Condolences and prayers to the lady who passed. Prayers of comfort to the driver.
I agree Whitehorse has the worst drivers in Canada. I have been almost struck 3 times while crossing 2nd Ave.
Up 28 Down 18
Max Mack on Feb 25, 2016 at 12:16 pm
My condolences to the deceased and family and friends. So sad.
Also, my heart goes out to the driver of the truck who must now live with the guilt of having killed another person.
As for safety, crossing 2nd Avenue, whether on foot or in a wheelchair, is an open invitation to death. This is largely an engineering problem, with far too many uncontrolled pedestrian crossings and four lanes of traffic on a major thoroughfare. Not sure whether this was a factor or not in this case.
One commentator noted that the deceased was driving in the lane towards oncoming traffic. If so, pedestrian crossings are not a factor.
Up 61 Down 8
you disgust me on Feb 25, 2016 at 11:53 am
Some of the comments are disgusting. Until you know what happened and the circumstances, maybe you shouldn't comment. The person has been wheelchair bound for years. I'm sure she knows how long it takes to cross and took proper precautions. How do you know the chair didn't malfunction? Or the vehicle that was being driven malfunctioned? Or something to that extent.
This was an ACCIDENT. They happen. Imagine how the driver must feel also.
Think of the people involved and the grieving families and give them a little respect and keep your accusations and theories to yourself. What if it was your family member? Many lives were destroyed by this ACCIDENT. Please be respectful.
Up 50 Down 2
Bad Driver on Feb 25, 2016 at 7:03 am
Some of us could drive a little safer. I know I could and will strive to do so.
Tragic.
Up 59 Down 6
Incredulous on Feb 24, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Wow. Ok first of all, without knowing all the details, the commenters have obviously decided the driver was at fault; not the deceased.
Secondly, I've almost hit pedestrians myself on second avenue... Some people don't bother even looking to see if traffic has stopped. They just walk out with no warning.
Finally, every driver out there thinks they're the responsible one, and it's everybody else on the road that drives like an idiot. Perhaps each of us needs to take a little more personal responsibility to ensure safety on our roads. Especially in winter when it's dark and icy.
Up 37 Down 35
Bill Smithers on Feb 24, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Let me get this straight?
An elderly driver runs over a lady in a wheel chair and it's the fault of
A) RCMP
B) City Bylaw and Dave Pruden?
C) The Mayor
Hello? While I agree with you, I've never seen a collection of worse drivers in all my life than right here in Whitehorse but to blame everyone for this accident is not right and you have gone too far on your rant.
Sometimes accidents happen and they are unfortunate but the laws and law enforcement agencies of this city did not cause this.
The local RCMP and Bylaw does a darn good job for what little resources they have and unless you want your property taxes to double, the city can't hire more people.
My condolences to the family
Up 33 Down 3
jc on Feb 24, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Josey W and Mandeep: What is it you want, crossing lights at every intersection? Or maybe crossing guards? Come on, get real! Now, lets wait for the evidence of this unfortunate tragic accident.
Up 26 Down 0
Politico on Feb 24, 2016 at 9:46 pm
If rumor is true I know this lady. She has had a tough life. It is so sad. Condolences to her kids. RIP
Up 25 Down 4
Dee on Feb 24, 2016 at 9:43 pm
Unfortunate for the lady in the wheelchair and the driver. There needs to be better crosswalks put in place on second avenue for pedestrians or possibly more stop lights. I feel for the family of the lady who passed away and the driver. Very unfortunate accident. For others who are commenting, this article does not give details and we do not know the details of the accident so have some compassion for whomever is involved.
Up 28 Down 5
marie ellen on Feb 24, 2016 at 8:53 pm
We can't point our way to safety and have a cross walk at every block!!! Crosswalks need to be clearly marked and used!! This is a tragedy for both families. My heart aches for them.
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Mike Grieco on Feb 24, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Very sad, tragic...
Up 34 Down 8
Secret on Feb 24, 2016 at 8:37 pm
I witnsessed the accident and she wasn't crossing the street - she was in the on coming lane going towards traffic.
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north_of_60 on Feb 24, 2016 at 8:05 pm
All motorized wheelchairs and "senior's scooters" should be required to have strips of reflective safety tape applied to sides, front and back, and running lights at the corners. The wheelchair/scooter driver should wear a reflective safety vest if they're going to be crossing traffic at corners without signal lights.
These are basic safety issues that a competent CoW bureaucracy would have dealt with ages ago. Instead we have incompetent bureaucrats lining their pockets with obscene salaries and benefits, and clearly not doing their job adequately.
Up 53 Down 10
Jack Colby on Feb 24, 2016 at 7:50 pm
SO SAD !
Rest in Peace senior citizen just trying to live a normal life
I've lived in several cities in Canada and Whitehorse drivers are by far
the rudest and dumbest
Up 31 Down 0
Rod on Feb 24, 2016 at 7:28 pm
RIP.
Condolences to family and friends.
Up 38 Down 8
Stephanie Guild on Feb 24, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Always look before crossing the street. I know for a fact high 90% of people don't make sure they have been spotted by the traffic before proceeding. SO many times people just step straight into the road without even looking! I see it happen weekly and It blows my mind EVERY single time I see it. Pedestrians have the right of way but I know that if I don't make sure the cars have stopped I will surely lose. Drivers and pedestrians please be careful, these accidents are tragic and don't need to happen.
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WestofBelfast on Feb 24, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Josey: While I agree with the jist of what you are saying, I'm pretty sure that Bylaw enforces bylaws, so not sure how this would have a positive impact on poor driving, speeding, tail-gating, unsafe lane changes, etc. Those rules of the road are the mandate of the RCMP.
My condolences to the lady's family. Very sad and tragic. Second Ave is a dangerous place to be a pedestrian.
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woodcutter on Feb 24, 2016 at 5:10 pm
I agree with you on this one Josey.
The cities bylaw group is a joke in this town. By-laws are made and only when a complaint is made are they visited. They drive up to your house and say, you are storing an unregistered car in your driveway, said tax payer points to across the road and says there is one there and two there. Bylaw clown says..no one complained about those ones.
What a farce. City wants to increase taxes, while it should be cutting the bylaw department to the point it just looks after meters and loose dogs.
Tragic event for all in this story, it could have been avoided, and folks, watch for pedestrians.
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Josey Wales on Feb 24, 2016 at 3:53 pm
What an absolute shame ANOTHER person dies as a result of crossing a street.
Do you folks realize that our bloated By-Law has legal means to address the insane traffic issue we have here?
Granted at this time of day maybe not, but my point stands...our drivers in this town SUCK and SUCK big! Years of zero enforcement of laws PAID for in lobby time, meetings, more meetings and of course another meeting or two.
Nope, feed on the easy low hanging fruit to raise funds to yup...GIVE away to special interests. Ignoring their duties we already pay for.
Some may say this is not the place to rant about these issues, I have a different opinion...clearly.
As a direct result of malfeasance over the years with both our Mounties and By-Law clearly created an atmosphere of survivor for folks on the sidewalks and in vehicles.
When there is no real enforcement, the entitlements of driving like an a**hole DOES happen.
Having our community turn into a criminal infested s**t-hole full of bad drivers has a huge cost associated with it.
I encourage all whom are fed up with traffic in this wee town to go to the sources of it and get loud.
Go unload on tax and spend Dan on "his" public safety record.
Go to M and ask where they spend their day.
Go see Mr. Pruden and ask him why his dept. chooses (key word) not to enforce the current laws whilst adding heaps more into the mix?
Sorry for the lady's family, clearly the lady herself...but also our town!
Anyone...what the hell happened to it...anyone seen it?
Perhaps McBride should have an exhibit, showing folks how things were.
Before heaps of traffic lights, the entitlement overdose syndrome....and a veeeeeeeeeeeery bloated bureaucracy far more concerned about cardboard and ski hills than a spore of public safety.
Yes this is THE place for said above rant.
RIP lady in the chair.
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Mandeep on Feb 24, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Tragic.
Especially when this has been commented on numerous times. Pedestrian controls in the downtown area are poor.