Berkeley woman hit by car while jogging dies

[@californianorma876]

A stop sign means STOP!!!! I stop full stop at all stop signs. Since my mom was killed in a crosswalk.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

The uphill traffic does not have a stop sign because of the steepness. Additionally, there may be a lot of trees and shrubs that prevent the driver from seeing a jogger entering the intersection fast.

[@Aritul]

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that.

[@dudeonbike800]

Drivers go ON ALL DAY LONG about cyclists not stopping at stop signs. Yet they're HABITUAL LAW BREAKERS when it come to THEM and stop signs! It would be one thing if all but a TINY minority of drivers stopped at stop signs. They MIGHT have point then. But even then, they really don't. Why? Stop signs exist in epidemic numbers BECAUSE of drivers. Speeding driver in residential districts who cannot be bothered to safeguard the safety of residents and children playing. So the stop sign has become the go-to solution for traffic engineers. If drivers cannot obey the speed limit, then put a stop sign every block. It works. And even THEN the issue is that cyclists don't injure, maim and kill other road users by the millions every year. It's a laughable issue to complain about cyclists running stop signs. Cyclists can navigate safely through any urban transportation landscape without EVER stopping at a stop sign. It's unnecessary when yielding works just as well. Bikes don't weigh 5,000 lbs., have 400 HP, or reach 140 mph, or impair an operator's vision or hearing like cars, so it's silly to obsess over this issue.

[@RN-wv5bo]

tell that to the mayos

[@boohere2]

I agree. BUT....at the same time you gotta make eye contact with the driver before you cross. At least I always do. I don't take for granted that they will stop. It's better that they see me first. I refuse to just assume a driver is gonna stop or see me.

[@Dangerous_Drivers_of_CA]

It's not the intersection that's dangerous, it's the drivers who do not follow the rules! Let's hope for justice. RIP lady!

[@dudeonbike800]

Even the description of the incident is WRONG. The woman was HIT BY A DRIVER. The car didn't do anything; it was operated by A DRIVER. So sad that the media is also poisoned by car culture. They use the word "accident" all the time. This word needs to be prohibited by any and all responsible parties when discussion motor vehicle incidents. "Wreck, collision and crash" are far better descriptors. The "a" word immediately works to excuse the culpable and pretend it was just "an unavoidable act of god." Nope, almost all car crashes are the result of POOR choices and IRRESPONSIBLE behavior behind the wheel.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

To be fair, it was an accident as the driver did not purposely hit the pedestrian. Also, without the facts in this case, it is not fair for the media to suggest that the driver did not stop at the stop sign. For sure, the driver is always at fault in these accidents but there could be circumstances that precipitated this tragedy such as the angle of the sun creating a dangerous glare for the driver, a jogger not pausing to check before crossing, trees obscuring the view. Not trying to make an excuse for the driver but it was not necessarily the case that the driver failed to stop or was speeding.@@dudeonbike800

[@TheUtuber999]

@@dudeonbike800 If they said the woman was hit by the driver, that might suggest that the driver exited the vehicle and assaulted the lady. People know that cars are driven by drivers, so no need to change the description.

[@heyaisdabomb]

People running or jogging need to look also. I've had people dart out running into a crosswalk from behind parked cars and it's nearly impossible to stop if your already in the intersection at that point as a car. Accidents take two parties making a series of mistakes. Crosswalks are not a magical "safe space". People need to practice caution and ensure cars are stopping, you can't just blindly run or jog into them.

[@dudeonbike800]

@@heyaisdabomb true. But as I've pointed out only about a MILLION TIMES, when a pedestrian is a total idiot and they walk into traffic, who are they endangering? THEMSELVES. (Same with cyclists0 Whereas when drivers blow stop signs and red lights and speed and do all the other illegal and dangerous things, they are endangering: EVERYONE! This crucial fact alone is what makes it TOTALLY DIFFERENT and why the problem is so big. Selfish, arrogant, ignorant, entitled, aggressive, raging, irresponsible behavior behind the wheel INJURES, MAIMS & KILLS OTHERS!!! Which makes it CRIMINAL behavior deserving of consequential punishment.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

Instead of working on safety issues, they adjourned the meeting to honor her--- Any chance for the officials to take time off.

[@TheUtuber999]

Another reminder that stepping into a crosswalk doesn't grant automatic protection or guarantee that others will follow laws or respect right-of-way. Not saying that is what happened here, but it bears repeating.

[@Thomassina1]

It's a very significant point. You can be 'dead right' as they say in Driver's Ed class or be smart. You hv to make eye contact w/driver or wait it out. I see peds in SF bolting onto the crosswalk when the walk-light goes on, they don't look left or right, noses in their phones. I hv to turn away, can't look, screeching brakes.. ugh. I also have compassion for the decent drivers who did not see them, it affects their lives too.

[@niklay33]

​@@Thomassina1👍🏽👍🏽It's infuriating and it happens ALL THE TIME.... IMMUNITY, IM IN THE CROSSWALK....I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAAAAAY......Keep it up ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.......HIT N RUN IS ON THE RISE.....

[@KLL-kl2ss]

Isn't Berkeley one of the cities that don't pull over for minor traffic violations which includes running stop signs?

[@dudeonbike800]

Berkeley is just like almost every other city in the country where LE is MIA. Too busy collecting dead bodies to worry about traffic scofflaws. Tax cuts have consequences.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

Berkeley is one of the far left cities that is a mess. Not the polices' fault but that of very bad officials and elected politicians.

[@gwinbeer]

That part is a STEEP hill. It has pretty high traffic because it's one of the main ways to reach Grizzly Peak Blvd, where you go to the farm, steam train, a lake, many trails, etc. Not only that uphill doesn't stop as explained in the video, and the Hollywood stops downhill.

[@ComposerConductor]

Stopping at stop signs is seemingly too difficult for so many drivers.

[@ajcraft-hello]

Condolences to her family & all who loved her. 🙏❤️✨🕊️🌎

[@knucklevision]

I have been following this story since the accident, I am so sorry and sad for the tragic loss that occurred. Terrible. I live close by am very familiar with all of the conditions and perils at play at that intersection and in general with a lot of bad/careless drivers... but- I am compelled to comment on the MISLEADING FOOTAGE combined with the voice over of "we spotted car after car roll through the stop sign"- @ 1:10, when in this case they were being told to proceed by the construction traffic control employee just off the street right before the intersection/crosswalk- you can see the STOP on his sign facing down hill, meaning the downhill drivers are seeing SLOW, being waved through- A moment of dishonest or disingenuous reporting at worst, careless at best.

[@knucklevision]

@@treasuretrovel3816 I pointed out that it's too bad KTVU used footage that was not.truly applicable to depict the real problems with that intersection. It's also too bad comments veer off so easily, reflexively and prevalently into the realm of "culture war"(?) issues at the drop of a hat, whether contextual or not- but that's indicative an entirely different set of problems we all are facing. Meanwhile- Unfortunately there is news of another pedestrian hit by a car yesterday in Southwest Berkeley, a 53-year old woman, taken from the scene in similar condition, with a critical head injury, and as in the sad case of Julia Elkin, Berkeley's Fatal Accident Investigation Team is handling the investigation, which means the injuries are considered major, whether they prove to be fatal. This follows another incident the day before Julia's, where another woman pedestrian in her 50's was hit in a crosswalk in downtown Berkeley and taken to hospital with a skull fracture. As in Julia's case, the drivers remained on the scene, and were cooperating, so hopefully we end up understanding exactly what combination of factors contributed to these terrible car vs pedestrian incidents.

[@knucklevision]

For context, this was the comment I was replying to the second time, I removed their name since it seems like they changed their mind about it(?)... Yes, Thanks for pointing that out. The main stream media has to always sensationalize everything. Had the jogger been non-white, the story line could have been twisted in many ways to suggest R ism. It may well be that the construction there and the traffic directing or lack there of that day was the main cause of the accident and not that the driver was negligent. Also, I think it is the case that there may not be a stop sign for the uphill traffic as the hill is so steep. I think that might be one of the three way stops up that hill. Could be that the jogger assumed it was a four way stop and ran out suddenly into the intersection. Additionally, if the sun is at a bad angle, it can be blinding to drivers.

[@TheMonolake]

You have to LOOK MAKE EYE CONTACT NEVER ASSUME !!!

[@Bunny-Power]

How can you make eye contact when you cannot even see the driver behind the black tinted windows?

[@niklay33]

​@@Bunny-PowerDO IT ANYWAY......

[@atllzable]

So sad...my condolences...Rest with God, Julia...

[@partymariner]

Speed bumps before the intersection?

[@chromebomb]

that would be communism

[@denverdubois5835]

@@chromebomb Actually Berkeley loves communism. Sort of. As long as it doesn't interfere with their yuppiedom. That said, Berkeley has tons of (in some cases literally illegal) traffic control methods in place, including whole side streets that are blocked to through traffic. Unfortunately, they haven't done something like that with this intersection. It would serve careless drivers right if that changed now.

[@oaktownie5135]

Haven't seen any traffic enforcement in Berkeley for over a decade. Cars speed like crazy everywhere endangering all the vulnerable pedestrians, runners, cyclists....drivers are inattentive fools.

[@philmccracken179]

I’ve never seen someone biking stop at a stop sign. They just plow thru. They use they sidewalks a lot to

[@timrupp4219]

As do most California cities nowadays

[@a.m.6847]

And pedestrians in Berkeley are sometimes entitled and demand that cars stop for them.

[@timrupp4219]

@@a.m.6847 and why not? after all it is California law

[@niklay33]

​@@timrupp4219well how's that working out for ya? 😁

[@e.gadd.1]

While I don't fault this woman for a moment I would state that some pedestrians act completely oblivious to cars, taking 'right of way' to the extreme. I was crossing Wal-Mart two days ago and a woman and her kids just charged out in front of me as I was actively passing as if they owned the road. "Pedestrians have the right of way" is not your license to just brazenly step out in front of moving vehicles, assuming they must stop! You don't know if their brakes work, if they're looking in a purse or on a cell phone, or even if they have slow reaction time. I was at a friends house and a neighbor was on crutches, because he did this and a car ran right into him. If you value your own life and limb, always cross roads DEFENSIVELY.

[@mediumrick7667]

The video just showed MULTIPLE drivers blowing the stop sign. Do some peds behave carelessly? Yes. But the FAR bigger problem is careless drivers in their multi-ton metal boxes.

[@e.gadd.1]

@rbana I occasionally do see people act in a 'dominant' manner when they are crossing streets and simply charge out assuming everyone must brake. I am never like this walking. I wait until a full red light and a WALK sign, or look both ways and wait until when any oncoming car is a block off before I start crossing. Assume oncoming cars are not stopping, always. And that goes double for a loose pet. When it comes to being a pedestrian never put your life in the hands of someone else's stupidity! As for everything else in life, well. Best of luck to all of us 😅

[@lukelucy1980]

Excellent Reminder of Personal Responsibility. I also Never cross unless I make eye contact.

[@VanisleGirl1961]

SHE WAS IN THE CROSSWALK!!! There is a mirror there to help. People drive too fast everywhere. MY husband nearly gets run over daily and he's so careful. People are on their phones.

[@TheAlgomalo]

It is the responsibility of auto drivers to watch for pedestrians who are crossing streets legally, period. In parking lots you should be driving slow enough to stop for any last minute obstacle, period. Get off your phones, slow down, come to a complete stop at every red light/stop sign and look out for pedestrians.

[@AKAAAK]

This is all across America, hell this happens all across the world. Never assume a car is going to stop before you start across the street......😊

[@Mike__B]

It's a dangerous intersection... then lets make sure you keep eyes on cars as you cross the intersection, it's a narrow street they said so in the video, pay attention to cars because you're the one who's going to end up paying for it if a car doesn't stop. Also the jogger they showed in the video, is he crossing at the cross walk? Nope popping out next to a bush, to cross where there's a stop sign, not really looking at anything because hey don't want to mess up that pace! Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to victim blame here but the rules of the road aren't going to keep you alive when you venture into areas where big metal beasts roam, it's you being proactive about it.

[@111danish111]

Seems like Marin Avenue does not have a stop sign northbound looks like both parties did not slow down to me.

[@Mike__B]

@@111danish111 Good catch on that. Also two of the four pieces don't even have proper cross walks. I'm curious which part of the street are people mostly getting hit from? One of the directions without a stop sign and crossing where there is no cross walk? At some point there should be less finger pointing at cars and more towards the city for not doing anything about the intersection... like a stop sign.

[@111danish111]

On westbound Oxford street the stop sign reads TRAFFIC ON YOUR LEFT DOES NOT STOP and on the near left corner the fence is covered with a hedge and also there is a big tree same scenario on eastbound no hedge but trees it is very likely she jogging down oxford and the car was speeding up Minor add to that it is a very narrow intersection so both parties are at fault . @@Mike__B

[@chromebomb]

Every intersection is very dangerous and guess what no one cares! People try to make the streets safer but drivers say no

[@bobbymoss6160]

There's no cure for narcissists.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Male reporter needs facial therapy ti get the terrible smirk off his face. Have compassion..rip😢

[@jasontomica8938]

STOP JOGGING ON THE STREET, JOG IN THE PARK, PERIOD!!!!!

[@debrariat6884]

oh come on. there is a camera there somewhere that shows what happened. WHO IS THE DRIVER???

[@Rainingdogsandcats]

All them road signs are not helping visibility.

[@brianp5205]

We dont even know if she was in the crosswalk or not and already there is outrage at drivers!?!?!?

[@raulingaverage]

Blame Councilmember Sophie Hahn and others for making Berkeley dangerous (e.g. Road Diet & Safety updates @ Hopkins in North Berkeley 2023)

[@jeschr3462]

People speeding downhill in their suburban neighborhood and rolling pass stop signs to get onto I-80W? No wayyy!

[@treasuretrovel3816]

It may very well have been the car going uphill. Not a stop sign for the uphill traffic at some of the intersections on Marin street. Marin is very steep and straight and has heavy traffic. At the intersections where it is a 4 way stop on Marin, the stopped driver has to hit the accelerator fairly firmly to get his stopped car to start up the hill again without rolling backwards. Not excusing drivers here at all just trying to add context for people trying to understand what factors play into these accidents on Marin Street.

[@knucklevision]

@@treasuretrovel3816 FYI- as reported in The Berkeley Scanner (the go-to site for crime and safety reporting in Berkeley), the car was traveling westbound, which means downhill in this case- therefore with the stop sign.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

Thanks for the info. Very sad.@@knucklevision

[@papagen00]

why do people jog on city streets? get a treadmill or go to the gym.

[@RoyalPurpleStar]

Because not everyone can afford a gym membership or a treadmill. I know this woman that quit the gym because she couldn’t afford it anymore and had to jog on the streets.

[@LatinMessiah]

Or at least avoid the busiest streets.

[@LatinMessiah]

If she’s jogging in a million dollar home neighborhood in the hills, she can afford a gym membership or a treadmill.

[@davidwright873]

I neither run nor bicycle on the streets...It's just not worth it.....

[@tommybotts]

@@LatinMessiahIgnorant statement!!

[@Aritul]

This is so sad. Poor girl.

[@damienzillas]

To all of you saying don't jog on public streets or talking about what the jogger should have done: you're gross. She had every right to cross a public street at the crosswalk and was killed because of an inattentive driver. And to the person saying some nonsense about personal responsibility. The driver that killed this poor women in the cross walk is the personal responsible.

[@111danish111]

Marin Avenue does not have a stop sign northbound looks like both parties did not slow down to me.

[@niklay33]

Sounds like we have another "RIGHT OF WAY CAPER" KEEP IT UP ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. COME BACK N LET US KNOW HOW THAT WORKS OUT FOR YA...

[@jaybain4337]

She was hit and killed by *A DRIVER*.

[@jessefranckowiak]

That's awful yeah I've noticed there's too much traffic congestion in Berkeley and many of the streets are residential and not well-designed for the purposes of minimizing risk to pedestrians the city should consider adopting better traffic regulation.

[@Thomassina1]

Berkeley is one big head-ache for drivers. Maybe reduce frustration , synchronize lights, move traffic thru eg., remove those stupid barriers near Cal and one-way streets. I detest going there re the traffic.

[@robdlc438]

Whoever designed Berkeley streets was really bad at their job. That is a horrible place to drive, walk or ride a bike. Horrid traffic engineering is a big part of it.

[@jessiegonzalez1736]

Just so sad my condolences to her family she will be missed 💐💐💐

[@a.m.6847]

One of the most dangerous intersections in Berkeley and this woman decides to go running in the street,

[@LatinMessiah]

You can’t go slow driving up a hill though. That’s why there are no stop signs for those driving up that particular crosswalk.

[@willowsloughdx]

You don't know how to drive. No matter what type of transmission is found in a vehicle it is very possible to move up even steep hills slowly.

[@phototristan]

There are simply too may cars on the road and also too many impaired drivers. Something needs to change.

[@bribri6985]

Maybe not jogging in streets is safer?? ..

[@philmccracken179]

Where should someone jog?

[@Aieshoo]

​@@philmccracken179 The gym

[@dudeonbike800]

A DRIVER HIT THIS WOMAN, KTVU! A car is an inanimate object that doesn't do anything without the input or carelessness of a person. Get a clue!

[@Bryan-lg3fn]

Its horrible but regardless if your crossing the street OPEN YOUR EYE'S .....geez never trust that people will stop for you . Guess she had to learn the hard way

[@111danish111]

Seems like Marin Avenue does not have a stop sign northbound looks like both parties did not slow down to me.

[@mullenli]

RIP Julia To all pedestrians: always assume those driver don’t see you and wait until vehicles at complete stop 🛑 before crossing

[@bluelava4282]

Sad

[@culcune]

It sucks, but in today's US one has to use EXTREME caution as a pedestrian. Watch one of the numerous dashcam compilation channels showing actual accidents or near accidents for a perspective on the driving situation out there. A pedestrian has to have their head on a 360 degree swivel since drivers will rarely turn THEIR heads even while changing lanes.

[@Mike__B]

Yup and the pedestrian that stomps their feet about how they have the right of way when crossing intersections are the ones that end up getting talked about in news articles like this. I NEVER tell my kid about "right of way" I tell him to look both directions, make sure if there is a car that they see you, make eye contact, make sure they are slowing, keep eye contact as you cross in front then watch out for the other side of the road.

[@chromebomb]

@@Mike__B right, the pedestrian is always at fault, never the car driver

[@Mike__B]

@@chromebomb Listen to yourself, it has f*ck all to do with who is at fault. Who's alive at the end of the day? Yeah not the person that thinks rules of the road are going to shield them from injury.

[@timrupp4219]

Tired of hearing the excuse "dangerous intersections" it's 100% driver fault. Such bad and dangerous drivers in California cities and most police departments do very little about it. I watched it for 25 years

[@davidwright873]

Sorry...ALL intersections are dangerous...Im gonna say she had ear buds in, didn't make eye contact with cars, thought she was invincible, figured ALL drivers were safe drivers and that the magical white lines on the street were enough to see her though? Am i close?

[@danielfiore8865]

What a sad and ignorant life you're destined to live with those "psychic abilities" you possess.😢

[@WhocaresWhy44]

Very dangerous.

[@bfranco1519]

Maybe look before you cross the street? Crosswalks don't mean anything to bad drivers.

[@TruculentRuminavi]

Stop mean stop unless they dont see the sign, You cant just take a leap of faith and , in this case, run onto the street because there is a crosswalk stop sign. Gamble with your life.

[@shirleyhenry-vf5ox]

Pedestrians have no right orbSAFETY when they are in the cross walk. It happened to me as recently as yesterday. I have drawn it to the attention of the authority with officer parked in the are in the past.

[@peterbedford2610]

I jog and bike every day. Many drivers speed and run stop signs. Hey, its your kids that are going to get hit.

[@dannydinh2281]

Door dash drivers speed crazy in that area.

[@ezrhino100]

let the blame game begin. it's your fault, no it's your fault, no it's your fault, no...

[@lemontadams3029]

B Town RIP

[@dudeonbike800]

It's time for vulnerable road users to employ effective self-defense measures. Drivers have massive, powerful deadly weapons in their hands. And they prove repeatedly, every day, all day long, that they cannot be trusted with these dangerous implements. Yet we allow their egregious behavior to continue behind the wheel. What shall citizens utilize to defend their lives? Please make suggestions below. Thank you.

[@oaktownie5135]

Enforce lower speed limits...impose harsh/expensive fines, confiscate vehicles, suspend drivers license, jail time.... Behavioral changes do not happen without significant enforcement/consequences.

[@dudeonbike800]

@@oaktownie5135 appreciate the reply. Agree with this, but that's within the "old" paradigm of enforcement. I'd like to see vehicles confiscated until fines are paid. Unpaid fines mean vehicle is sold and proceeds kept. Make the punishment hurt - graduated commensurate with income/ net worth. But it seems like tickets & traffic stops are a thing of the past. LE is too underfunded and tasked with violent crime. If there's no active shooter or dead bodies, LE won't respond anymore. Not in Oakland, not in most urban centers. So how do WE effect the change? I have ideas, but would love to hear others' opinions.

[@firstlast5681]

Why do people insist on doing activities in places they shouldn't and then wonder why bad things happen❗🧂

[@nayibah4188]

What?

[@joeyjoey22]

Lol people should not go running because they have to cross the road?

[@mediumrick7667]

Why do drivers insist on running stop signs - as seen multiple times in this vid.

[@TheAlgomalo]

Streets are for everyone, especially residential streets. She wasn’t jogging on a highway, genius!

[@BenjaminPope]

Obviously can't see the stop sign

[@knucklevision]

Or in the case of this video, many viewers can't see the SLOW sign the traffic control is showing them as he is actually waving them through the intersection... (watch again)

[@erikjohnson6728]

pretty lawless around Berkeley from hatred of cops and progressive leaders

[@willowsloughdx]

Did she have earbuds on? Being able to see and hear while jogging is a safety Pro-tip.

[@chromebomb]

sounds like you are blaming the victim

[@willowsloughdx]

@@chromebombYou imagination makes you look foolish. Calling her a "victim" blames the driver.

[@niklay33]

All i know is im from Nyc and some ppl are Very Entitled and believe traffic laws dont apply to them.... They live and Love to SUE.......🧔

[@Charlie_Brown_009]

She voted for Biden.

[@mikeg3728]

I feel very bad for her and RIP. People please listen to me when I say: pedestrian right of way doesn't mean it's worth dying over. Assume the cars not only do not respect this right, but that they aren't even following routine traffic laws. And most of the time: you'd be right. And safe. I hope the family gets support in this horrible time, this is extremely sad.

[@danasmith858]

Doesn't look that dangerous unless you don't use common sense,

[@typicalquip2025]

[@Sl20]

If everyone go a cross the street like this guy we all drivers must be careful!!!!! 1:24 !!!!!,🫢🔴🤫