Submitted by Sgt. Charles Porche, Lakewood Police.
At approximately 6:27 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Lakewood Police officers were notified of an injury vehicle versus pedestrian collision in the 10400 block of S. Tacoma Way.
The initial caller was the driver of the involved vehicle. The driver reported that the pedestrian was not responsive and life saving measures were started. Lakewood officers arrived and continued with providing CPR. Shortly after the arrival of West Pierce Fire medics the pedestrian was declared deceased.
The victim in the incident is a white male, approximately 40 years old. He was crossing in a non-marked area of the street and was wearing all dark clothing. His identity is yet to be confirmed by the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The driver was evaluated on scene and determined to not be impaired. Anyone that may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact the police department. Lakewood Traffic Officers are conducting the investigation.
THANK YOU to the driver of the involved vehicle, and to Lakewood’s first responders. This incident, though in marginal light of morning, recalls too-frequent encounter of a pedestrian, almost invariably attired in dark clothing, ambling along a right-of-way, often one undefined, seemingly oblivious of an unseen, unheard vehicle hazard behind. I must hope that our schools teach, and our guardians remind and enforce, SAFETY, at every opportunity.
The public school system is rather busy with various theories and other such aspects of non reality these days Bob.
Common sense is no longer taught or encouraged.
So we must endeavor to dodge all those who might deem themselves impervious to impact, or perhaps entitled or equipped with a reset button for the next round in their video game of life.
We see that a lot today with young protesters shutting down traffic and attacking drivers, or accusing them of assault for simply trying to get on their way.
I don’t know the circumstances of this tragic accident, but I do know that there are no learned answers coming from the public school system.
I imagine that someone will miss this person, and I’m sure this unfortunate driver will carry emotional scars for a long time.
My daughter’s private school did have a safety seminar however, where they were instructed to always cover their drink and never lose sight of it so that some scumbag doesn’t slip fentanyl into it, causing them to overdose or stumble out into traffic.
Oh the world we’ve come to live in.