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Friday, August 3, 2007
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Poor visibility blamed in fatal accident
Staff Writer Poor visibility was cited as a factor in an accident Thursday morning in which a 76-year-old pedestrian was killed after being struck by a pickup, police said
The accident happened about 7:15 a.m. on College Drive at Central Lakes College. The victim, Verdelle Goble, of Brainerd, was in the pedestrian crosswalk at Southwest Sixth Street when she was struck by an eastbound pickup driven by Nathan Carlson, 27, East Gull Lake. Goble, who lived in the apartments across the street from the college, was on her way to CLC, where she volunteered.
Goble was transported to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, where she later died.
Brainerd Police Chief John Bolduc said investigators believe the angle of the sun at the location of the accident and the time of morning may have hampered the vision of eastbound motorists on College Drive.
"At this point its appears to be a tragic accident," Bolduc said Thursday afternoon. "Of course, we're still piecing together the physical evidence. The driver has been completely cooperative and is very distraught over this."
CLC President Larry Lundblad said the entire college was saddened by the tragic accident.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends," Lundblad said. "She really was a great asset to the college, a friendly person. She worked in the reception area and was a friendly face that would greet people who would come into the college. A lot of people knew her and liked her."
ÒPeople should drive cautiously and be aware of their surroundings, including hampered visibility ...Ó
Jeff Hulsether
City engineer
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While Thursday's fatality was an accident, safety has been a concern along College Drive as it runs past CLC and Brainerd High School.
Last spring, city and college officials met to address safety concerns and developed a plan that included the city placing large pedestrian signs along the side of the street and the college placing pedestrian crossing signs in the middle of the street. Police also began increased patrols along the street.
City Engineer Jeff Hulsether said the city and CLC have not initiated new discussions about pedestrian safety along College Drive in light of Thursday's fatal accident, but such proposals will be included in the city's plans when College Drive is reconstructed in 2008 and 2009.
Those plans could include sidewalks or bike paths, roundabouts at major intersections along the street, right in and right out intersections and stoplights. What will work best will be determined through studies, he said.
"With the whole reconstruction project we're trying to do something that will make it more pedestrian friendly where we can," Hulsether said.
Lundblad said college officials have talked to the city about the possibility of flashing lights at crosswalks or, when the road is reconstructed, a tunnel or bridge crossing College Drive.
Lundblad also said, in light of Goble's death, students will be encouraged during orientation to use the crosswalks and be mindful of oncoming traffic when entering the street.
"It's unfortunate these things happen and it just underscores the need for everybody to be mindful when on College Drive," Lundblad said.
In addition to pedestrian awareness, Bolduc and Hulsether both said motorists need to be aware of their surroundings when driving on College Drive, especially considering school will be in session within a month.
"Generally speaking, during this time of year we've been driving in summer conditions with high traffic volumes and road construction. Now is a good time to make sure you don't let your guard down and become complacent. Motorists should be aware of changing road conditions and traffic patterns," Bolduc said.
Hulsether also noted that as September approaches the sun will be rising in more of a due east direction.
"With the way our street grid is set up and with that being the time of year when kids are walking to school, that's the time of day when people need to be aware," Hulsether said. "People should drive cautiously and be aware of their surroundings, including hampered visibility because of the sun."
Thursday's fatal accident was the second in Brainerd and third in the area in the past three days.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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