KENT, Wash. — A teenage girl on a scooter who was using a crosswalk in Kent was struck and critically injured by a driver on Thursday morning.
The incident took place on the 23400 block of 116th Avenue Southeast at around 7:20 a.m. about a quarter mile away from Meridian Middle School. Witnesses say the 17-year-old girl was crossing the street at a crosswalk while riding a scooter when a driver struck her. She was thrown into the side of a car that was stopped in the opposite lane. The girl was not wearing a helmet.
The girl had to be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center due to her injuries, according to Puget Sound Fire. The hospital said she is in critical condition.
The driver who struck the girl, a 49-year-old Kent woman, stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police. Police do not believe intoxicants played a factor in the crash.
A witness to the crash, Nicole Norman, said the spot is a dangerous place for pedestrians. The victim flew through the air and hit the side of Norman's car after she was struck in the crosswalk.
"The cars come down this road fast - faster than 40 [miles per hour] at some times," said Norman.
The speed limit in the area of the crash is 35 mph.
Norman has kids who go to Meridian Middle School. Norman had stopped at the crosswalk and was waiting for the girl to cross the street when the accident happened.
"It was horrible," Norman said.
Norman and several others got out of their vehicles to help the girl.
"This road has a lot of issues. There are hundreds of kids who come through this neighborhood over here to Meridian and the surrounding schools," Norman said. "Lighting is not good on these roads. This crosswalk is not a good crosswalk for a school... and cars fly down this road at high speeds."
Norman said she hopes this accident draws attention to the dangers on 116th Avenue Southwest and that the city comes up with a better solution for the crosswalk and deterrents to speeding drivers. Neighbors also told KING 5 the crosswalk is dangerous and drivers oftentimes do not stop for pedestrians.
"It should be a school zone," Norman said.
There is a blinking light above the crosswalk, but it is only during specific times of the day.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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