An Oak Harbor High School student was struck by a car Monday morning while crossing in a marked crosswalk and ended up trapped underneath the vehicle. Oak Harbor firefighters worked to free the student, who was then rushed to the hospital for treatment.
According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, the student was crossing on a marked, well-lit pedestrian crosswalk equipped with active flashing warning lights at the time of the crash. Police said the lights were functioning as the student crossed.
Oak Harbor firefighters pulled the student from beneath the vehicle, and the student was transported by ambulance to Whidbey Health Medical Center in Coupeville. The station's report notes the student was reported stable as of the last update available.
No Signs of Impairment, But Investigation Continues
Oak Harbor police said there was no indication the driver was impaired, though the driver was issued a ticket following the crash. Investigators are still working to determine exactly what led to the collision, per the same account.
Police used the incident to remind drivers to slow down, stay alert, and use extra caution in school zones and other areas with heavy foot traffic. Officers also pointed to changing daylight conditions and increased student traffic in the morning hours as reasons drivers need to stay especially attentive at this time of year.
A Broader Pattern of Pedestrian Danger
The crash lands amid wider concern in Oak Harbor over pedestrian safety. City staff have said pedestrian fatalities in town have risen sharply despite only modest population growth, according to Citizen Portal. The city's existing safety infrastructure already includes 15 rectangular rapid-flashing beacon crosswalks and 2,500 feet of shared paths, the outlet reports.
City staff have also identified Highway 20 as a particular collision hotspot requiring coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation, per Citizen Portal. Oak Harbor is pursuing further fixes, including plans to use thermoplastic pavement markings and continued pursuit of a $5 million federal grant aimed at pedestrian-safety improvements, the same report states.
State guidance from the Washington State Department of Transportation notes that pedestrians are most often hit by drivers while crossing the road and advises using marked crosswalks and signalized intersections when available — which is exactly where Monday's crash occurred. Under Washington law, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks, according to Washington State Legislature statute RCW 46.61.261.
Similar Crashes Beyond Oak Harbor
Crosswalk crashes involving students have made headlines elsewhere in recent weeks. A Billings Public Schools student was hit by a car while in a crosswalk and hospitalized in critical condition, according to KULR8. Closer to home, KIRO 7 News Seattle also reported that a separate incident left someone pinned under a car in Tukwila, requiring rescue.
No further details on the Oak Harbor student's name, age, or specific injuries have been released. The police investigation into the exact cause of Monday's crash remains ongoing.
