Last Friday, 61 year-old James Hudson was killed by a drunk driver while crossing San Francisco’s Masonic Avenue, one of the city’s busiest and most dangerous arteries.
The suspect, 23 year-old Jose Jimenez, who was driving over 50 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone, is expected to be charged this week with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. Masonic Avenue is one of San Francisco’s most notorious pedestrian accident hot spots, and last week’s death indicates the city’s obligation to make significant steps to make it safer to reduce future deaths.
“This tragic accident is just one reason why our San Francisco wrongful death attorneys fight everyday for our clients. It’s what gets us to work everyday” – Andy Gillin
Hudson’s death marks the second Masonic Avenue death in less than a year. Last August, 22 year-old Nils Yannick Linke was killed in a bicycle accident on Masonic and Turk by another drunk driver. Linke’s tragic death has become something of a symbol for the urgent need to make San Francisco streets safer. In addition to pedestrian accident deaths, Masonic Avenue is responsible for many more accident injuries. Last month, for example, a young jogger was blindsided by a car going 30 miles per hour. The accident sent her flying through the air and to the hospital with a broken leg. SFWeekly reporter Matt Smith was riding a tandem bicycle with his daughter when he was nearly hit in this same accident.
San Francisco is commonly praised as a pedestrian friendly city. But a number of high-traffic streets like Masonic Avenue, Geary Boulevard, and Van Ness Avenue have been exposed as incredibly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. “The speeding on Masonic is out of control,” said UCSF nurse Annika Ehrlich. “This is a neighborhood with families and children, yet motorists treat it like a highway.”
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has been planning a citywide pedestrian safety plan, with improvements for Masonic Avenue, for months. And this Friday, the agency is scheduled to meet to discuss specifics intended to improve safety, livability, and traffic. One proposed plan, the $20 million “Boulevard” design, was developed by an eclectic group of city agencies, citizens, and community organizations.
The Boulevard plan would no doubt improve safety on San Francisco’s Masonic Avenue. But improved safety measures must be complemented by a pledge among city motorists to drive slower and stay aware of pedestrians and cyclists.
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Photo credit: AlexChoi
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Andy is a highly recognized wrongful death lawyer in California.