Woman hit while crossing Centre Street dies in hospital

CALGARY – A crosswalk fatality is renewing calls to improve pedestrian safety in Calgary.

A 66-year-old woman who was hit by a vehicle while crossing Centre Street on Monday has died.

“The quickest, most affordable way of saving lives that we could do tomorrow would be lowering speed and adding enforcement,” Jody Morel of Slow Down YYC said.

Calgary police confirmed the victim was in a marked crosswalk and the lights were flashing when she was hit.

Emergency crews were called to the 1800 block of Centre Street North at around 6:40 p.m.

Police said the victim was hit by a southbound 1989 Ford Crown Victoria driven by a 71-year-old man.

EMS rushed the victim to the Foothills Medical Centre in serious, potentially life-threatening condition, but she later died.

The driver of the vehicle remained at scene.

“Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor,” Dave Dentandt with the Calgary Police Traffic Section said. “Neither is speed.”

City council will vote on a pedestrian safety strategy plan in April; among the recommendations is to slow down drivers.

“If you are on a street and all that’s there are houses, you really don’t need to be doing 50 kilometres–40 is good enough, and maybe 30 in some cases,” city councillor Shane Keating said.

City, police and public consultation will provide additional input for the plan in the coming weeks.

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