Residents share safety concerns after 78-year-old fatally struck by car outside retirement home
Posted October 12, 2022 10:30 am.
Residents of a living complex in Winnipeg are shaken up after a long-time resident of the building died when he was hit by a car.
Some say the corridor where the accident happened is a dangerous one, especially for those who have varying mobility.
The fatal collision took place at Osborne Street and Bartlet Avenue, where a 7-Eleven and the 200-suite Fred Tipping Place is located. It’s an area where people regularly cross the street directly, as nearby crosswalks may be out of reach for those who use mobility aids.
“It’s hard. A lot of people can’t walk that far,” said resident Gail Hill, calling the crossing situation “difficult.”
“A lot of people don’t go to the lights,” she said. “I know they cross right in front of the building… Especially with winter coming, it’s hard for people with walkers to walk to the corner to cross at the lights.”
Exterior of Fred Tipping Place. (Credit: CityNews)
‘Everyone loved Jim’
Several tenants at Fred Tipping tell CityNews the man who died on Monday was 78-year-old Jim Aitkenhead. A police news release indicated he died in hospital from his injuries.
Hill knew Aitkenhead well, as did most in the building.
“Just an icon in the neighbourhood,” she said.
“Everyone loved Jim. It’s been very hard.”
Hill says while everyone has a role to play in making sure the roads are safe, if it’s not possible or practical to install an additional crosswalk to accommodate the heavy traffic between the nearby convenience store, maybe more signage would help keep people on alert.
Police say the driver involved, a woman in her 80s, remained on scene and met with responding officers.
Crosswalk near Osborne Street and Bartlet Avenue. (Credit: CityNews)
18 fatal vehicle collisions
To date, police have responded to 18 fatal vehicle collisions, eight of which that have involved pedestrians. The victims ranged from 23 to 92 years old.
Winnipeg police’s traffic collision investigators say both pedestrians and drivers can take steps to avoid these types of collisions.
“WPS message to drivers is as simple as slow down and obey the rules of the road especially around Pedestrian Cross Walks. Pedestrians also have an obligation to follow the rules of the road and to cross at designated intersections and cross walks.”
The police investigation is ongoing.
