Another pedestrian hit by a vehicle, on Foster Road

See why police say the driver should never have been behind the wheel, and why the pedestrian wasn’t totally innocent, either …

While the slightly-injured pedestrian is treated by American Medical Response paramedics in the ambulance, an officer speaks with a witness at the scene.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Just three days into the New Year, yet another pedestrian was injured crossing SE Foster Road – this time, in a crosswalk at SE 65^th Avenue.

However, the accident that occurred about 6:15 p.m. on January 3 wasn’t the fault of poor highway design, improper speed zoning, or bad weather. There are just some pedestrian accidents that even flashing-light warnings can’t stop.

According to witnesses, the accident victim saw a car in the nearest lane stop for him to cross – but the driver of a 1972 Chevy pickup truck continued in the next lane, and grazed the walker.

A Portland police officer evaluates the site of SE Foster Road’s first pedestrian accident of 2013.

It appeared as if the injuries to the pedestrian were minor, and the victim was simply treated by paramedic staff at the scene.

“The pedestrian was not transported to a hospital for medical care,” Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson confirmed, the following day. “The victim reportedly had minor scrapes and bruises.”

Police say that this man, Jacob Miles Bradley, was driving with a suspended license, when his truck slightly injured the pedestrian for whom he failed to stop.

But, at 6:38 p.m., a PPB East Precinct District Officer placed the driver of the offending truck, 28-year-old Jacob Miles Bradley, under arrest. “Driver cited for Driving While Suspended, and had warrants for DUII and Careless Driving,” Simpson said.

After being booked at Multnomah County Detention Center, at 7:51 p.m., Bradley was “Released on Own Recognizance” later that evening.

The law says motorized pedestrians must stop for pedestrians crossing the street – but those on foot can avoid a trip in an ambulance, and perhaps a lengthy stay in the hospital – by making sure all traffic has stopped.

“Pedestrians should take care to make sure all the traffic stops before entering a crosswalk,” Simpson commented to East Portland News, “even though pedestrians generally have the right of way.”

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