This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Arlington Police and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Reconstruction and Analysis Section.
Response from public Nov. 26, after
Initial reaction to the accident on Arlington social media was immediate.
At 6:35 p.m. Nov. 26, just 35 minutes after police logged the accident, a photo was posted on the Arlington List Facebook group, with the comment: “Someone got hit at crosswalk by Traiders Joe.”
At 7:15 p.m., the first post to the Arlington Email List reported: “Mass Ave is closed in both directions from Trader Joe’s to the Lexington line. Police cars all over. Any ideas what’s up?”
At 8:01 p.m., a list poster responded: “Sadly, a pedestrian was struck by a car while in the Mass Ave crosswalk next to Trader Joe’s and Starbucks. Was thrown about 30 feet and immobile when the ambulance arrived.
“Luckily, a nurse was on the scene. A godsend. I hope the gentleman is Ok and recovers. The driver stayed and was clearly emotional.
“It was a particularly dark commuting time and the rain didn’t help. I almost got hit crossing at the Mass and Park intersection on the way home, just 20 feet from a police officer blocking the outbound traffic. A car ran the red light turning onto Park.”
At 9:23 the next day, Steve Revilak wrote: “I was riding home from Lexington last night, and approached the area just as the police were blocking it off. An officer directed me to go up the hill, so I went up Lancaster Rd and back down Dundee.
“Coming down Dundee, I saw what looked like a pile of blankets in the middle of the east-bound lane of Mass Ave. “Looked like a pile of blankets” is the only thing I can say with certainty, but this did not give me a good feeling.
“Hearing that the pedestrian was thrown 30 feet doesn’t give me a good feeling either. It suggests that they were hit at speed.”
At 5:07 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Betsy Schwartz wrote: “I’d like to loop back to — how can we make that area safer? I’m assuming this was the crossing to Starbucks – do we know which direction the driver was going?
“Speaking as a driver (and former bicyclist) there are a lot of problems with that area.
“Heading west, cars are turning or waiting and signalling at two parking lot entrances, plus traffic coming from Paul Revere and Dundee, sometimes Antoine’s. The cars are all blinking , the stores all have bright lights, the pedestrian crossing is dark and just beyond all of the action.
“Heading East, a driver is coming form a darker area at higher speed and sees a lot of lights ahead, with cars blinking to turn in several directions. The driver’s eye is drawn ahead to the lights. The crosswalk is dim and there’s no warning sign that it exists. A pedestrian in dark clothing is in the shadows.
“IMHO there needs to be some sort of lights on that crossing, maybe even a button to trigger a bright flashing light when a pedestrian is waiting to cross. Perhaps something like the one at Mill street. That’s really hard to miss.”
On the Arlington List Facebook group, the administrator turned off comments after 295 had registered them.
Here is an incomplete list of pedestrian fatalities in town over 10 years:
Nov. 19, 2023: Car strikes pedestrian in Heights crosswalk
Sept. 7, 2023: Car hits pedestrian near Town Hall; victim recovering; involved driver cited
April 3, 2023: Chestnut intersection, site of fatality, gets safety upgrade after 2 residents kept up pressure
Jan. 11, 2017: Pretrial hearing held for Woburn woman in ’15 Mass. Ave. death
Nov. 4, 2014: Arlington man faces motor-vehicular homicide charges in ’13 Mass. Ave. case
Police share tips about pedestrian safety
The Arlington Police Department, in an announcement from the town Dec. 5, provided these tips to help pedestrians stay safe.
This is an especially urgent appeal to motorists and pedestrians alike in the wake of a pedestrian crash shortly before Thanksgiving in which a resident was struck by a motorist and tragically lost their life while crossing Mass. Ave.
“Arlington is one of the most densely populated communities in Massachusetts with significant traffic volumes, and as we get into the winter months, it is especially important to use caution while driving on or crossing the roadways,” Chief Flaherty said in the announcement.
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable when walking in densely populated and high-traffic areas, especially during periods of the year when solar glare is most prevalent. With high glare in the mornings and afternoons and earlier sunsets, it is imperative that pedestrians and operators stay vigilant and cautious when walking and driving.
The Arlington Police Department urges residents to adhere to the following safety tips from the National Safety Council to stay safe as a pedestrian:
- Be predictable; follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
- Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
- Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
Additional safety tips for drivers:
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.
Dec. 5, 2024: Crosswalk death spurs heartfelt appeal for safety
This news announcement was published Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, based on information provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office, Arlington police and YourArlington files. Carol Beggy and Bob Sprague contributed to this report. It was updated Dec. 5, to add the name of a poster as well as link to a letter to the editor, and on Dec. 6, to add tips from police.
