WUSA9 has the same story, but they are reporting that the victim was a 6 year old female.
From: AlertDC traf1780@alert.
To: Transportation Alert Recipients rsan@alert.ema.dc.gov>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 7:05:21 PM
Subject: Message from Alert DC
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 7:05:21 PM
Subject: Message from Alert DC
MPD reports child struck and killed at the 600 blk of Orleans PL NE (hit & run)
UPDATE-1D-LOOK OUT FOR THE HIT AND RUN VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE FATALITY AT 6TH AND ORLEANS PL NE.THE LOOK OUT IS FOR A GREEN FORD EXPLORER, OR A GREEN TOYOTA (4) RUNNER WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND FRONT END DAMAGE AND UNKNOWN MARYLAND TAGS. notify-MPD(SOCC)-202 727-9099
Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail, pagers, cell phones
UPDATE-1D-LOOK OUT FOR THE HIT AND RUN VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE FATALITY AT 6TH AND ORLEANS PL NE.THE LOOK OUT IS FOR A GREEN FORD EXPLORER, OR A GREEN TOYOTA (4) RUNNER WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND FRONT END DAMAGE AND UNKNOWN MARYLAND TAGS. notify-MPD(SOCC)
Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail, pagers, cell phones
10 comments:
This is my block, what a tragedy. There was discussion on the news of putting a stop sign at Orleans, but there is already a sign at L. They need to create a real crosswalk at M with a walk light. I'm not sure that would have prevented this either though. This is a residential neighborhood with many children, yet cars buzz through like it's a highway. I really hope the police find the driver.
Speedbumps?
Speedbumps would help, as would speed limit signs and stop light cameras, but a lot of pressure would have to be put on DOT. 6th St. is one way northbound until K street, then becomes two way. So it's not surprising the street is used as a thoroughfare to 50, as that seems to be DOT's intent.
I would also add that many local children walk every day to Wilson elementary at 7th and K. We need a lot more crosswalks and crossing guards around the school.
I think a few speed cameras in this area might serve to slow these drivers down. I am often in this area and I am astonished at how fast the cars/trucks are going. The problem is that they come down 6th street past the market at a very fast clip and don't seem to realize that south of Florida is residential with lots of walkers/bikers etc. so they don't slow down.
My child occasionally walks home from Hamilton and I worry about the speeders on 6th and on Florida. A child was hit by a police car on Florida about a month ago (child was in the crosswalk, police car was speeding). It got no play in the press.
The child is alright but did spend time in the hospital.
That's pretty scary. Florida, though it has plenty of commercial space, also has lots of residential stuff as well, and the speed limit reflects that. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers treat it like a freeway. But, I've also seen cars really speed down alleys and some streets in Trinidad where visibility is poor (lots of doorways/yards open into the alleys, and cars parked on the street block the driver's view of children who play on the sidewalk and frequently chase errant balls into the street.
Even better than speedbumps are raised crosswalks. Same effect as a speedbump, but requires drivers to slow down at the most critical points on a street.
Plain speedbumps (like stop signs) only encourage speeding between the bump and the next required slowing point. Speedbumps actaully result in higher speeds at the crosswalks because of this effect.
Best,
Alan Kimber
Commissioner, ANC 6C05
i think timing the lights on florida a lot better would also help. in particular, i think eastbound traffic is encouraged to speed from around the market until the light near 9th because of the way lights are timed now. if the light near 9th were green for motorists traveling a safe speed - and not 60 mph - i think you would see a lot less speeding along this stretch.
These are all interesting ideas. I would strongly encourage everyone to email Tommy Wells and the DC DOT. Perhaps we could organize a community meeting to discuss proposed improvements, invite DOT officials. Or perhaps Ms. Phelps and Mr. Kimber could reserve time at an upcoming ANC meeting.
I live on 6th- about a block south from Orleans. Sadly I don't think adding stop signs alone will help. We had one put in a year ago in front of my house at 6th and L NE and I watch at least 5 people blow through it a day-some unintentionally-others quite aware of the sign.
I think speed bumps would be a good start. In addition to possibly narrowing the street. The widened and bare street really only makes people feel like it is not a residential area and encourages the speeding. Which is preposterous as it runs right next to a school and a schoolyard where children play at all times of day. Restoring the tree boxes to the street would certainly help to enclose the area a bit, which might force drivers to think about it as a thoroughfare differently. I'm also partial to trees- so adding these back would be a two fold improvement!
The tree idea is excellent! Any industrial psychologist would agree with that.
It's a great idea, along with the speedbumps.
Good call!
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