Another pedestrian hit by vehicle in St. John's
A woman was struck on New Gower Street on Tuesday night
Another pedestrian has been hit by a vehicle in St. John's, bringing the total number of people hit in 2020 to nine, with eight being hit in just the last four days.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says the woman was hit on New Gower Street, in the downtown area of the city on Tuesday night.
The woman did not go to hospital for treatment, and police said the driver did remain at the scene.
The incident is the latest in a string of vehicle-pedestrian collisions in the St. John's area.
On Monday night, two people were sent to hospital after they were hit on Ropewalk Lane.
Before that, four people were struck by vehicles in three separate incidents on the Northeast Avalon — all within four hours of each other.
One of those — a man hit by a vehicle in the Goulds — was a hit and run. A person was later arrested and charged by police.
On Tuesday afternoon, a man went to hospital as a precaution after being bumped by a side mirror while he was walking on Freshwater Road.
On Jan. 4, a man was struck on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John's. His injuries were initially thought to be non-life-threatening, but he died six days later. Police are looking for dashcam or CCTV video related to the incident.
Challenging for pedestrians
With frozen sidewalks and more snow coming later this week, being a pedestrian in St. John's can be challenging during the winter.
Memorial University research professor Barbara Neis, an avid walker around the city, says the condition of sidewalks is a danger for pedestrians.
"It speaks to me loudly and clearly every time I walk to work in the morning," Neis told The St. John's Morning Show. "I'm walking on the edge of a street without access to a sidewalk or on a dangerous sidewalk. I'm forced to protect myself from drivers and it's very challenging."
Jamie Ross, marketing manager at Wedgwood Insurance in St. John's, says there are a number of different factors that can lead to a pedestrian accident.
"Every intersection, every road is different," Ross said. "You've got snow banks that are now twice the height of what they used to be and it's only going to get worse on Friday. You've got sidewalks that are cleared but they're still icy. You've got pedestrians that are forced to be out on the street.… Drivers may be doing everything they need to do … but all it takes is one false move."
The City of St. John's has declined multiple interviews from CBC but did promise media availability later this week.
With files from The St. John's Morning Show