Four in 25 Days
January 25th, 2007 by josh farley
Kitsap County has already seen four road fatalities this year, adding one today for the death of 20-year-old Jordon Michael Jimenez.
No single cause jumps out of the four accidents combined; but I am going to post the four circumstances below so you can see for yourself. A special thanks goes out to Marsha Masters, president of the local chapter of MADD, for the list.
Jan. 5
Terry Thomas, 38, of Port Orchard, was hit twice by separate cars at about 6 p.m. in the 1600 block of Bay Street. Stormy weather made the visibility for the drivers who hit him poor. It is not believed drugs and alcohol were involved.
Jan. 10
Gemma Zapata Collins, 30, of Bremerton, was killed when she lost control on icy Bond Road near Sawdust Hill Road just before 8:30 a.m. and spun into the passenger side of a pickup truck. Collins and the truck’s driver were wearing seat belts and no alcohol or drugs were involved.
Jan. 21
Christopher Anthony Brooks, 18 of Port Orchard, was going north on Phillips Road about 1:20 am at the 5100 block of Phillips Road when his pickup — circa 1965 and thus had no shoulder seat belt — began to leave the roadway. The brakes locked and the truck collided with a power pole on the passenger side. Investigation is still pending.
Jan. 21
Jordon Michael Jimenez, 20, of South Kitsap, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt and heading north in the 6000 block of Old Clifton Road, near Alameda Avenue, shortly after 10 a.m., when he lost control of the car, left the road to the right and rolled several times before coming to rest near a power pole. He died two days later at Harborview Medical Center. Investigation is still pending.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
January 25th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I’m surprised that you make no mention of a seat belt with two of the four mentioned. Isn’t that something always noted at the scene?
Sharon O’Hara
January 26th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Thank you, I will make sure that information is gathered and cited. One of the victims was a pedestrian, the three others were wearing seatbelts. I am trying to see if there is a pattern with our victims such as speed, seatbelt use, age, impairment, so far speed has been the common factor in these crashes. Last year involving 21 victims there was no pattern, it was a wide variety of causes. I just hope this year, we are more careful and can reduce the number of fatalities, because even one life lost is one too many.
January 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Marsha…thank you.
No mention of drug use/including alcohol in the drivers?
Because…if it is impairment…we clearly haven’t made an impact on people who drive drunk.
Drunks do not have the right to take lives.
Thanks for the work you do.
Sharon O’Hara
February 2nd, 2007 at 8:48 am
I am the coordinator for the Kitsap County Traffic Safety Task Force and work with all law enforcement agencies in Kitsap County, as well as MADD, the Health District, Washington State Liquor Control Board and others.
The number of traffic fatalities in Kitsap County (22 in 2006 and 4 to date in 2007) is alarming and the Task Force is looking at the crashes for any common elements.
As we continue to promote traffic safety through education, enforcement and engineering, the Kitsap County Traffic Safety Task Force would like to remind the public to:
1. Drive sober;
2. Buckle up; and
3. Slow down.
Carolyn Pence
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Unless the toxicology reports otherwise, there is no drug or alcohol use reported in any of these crashes. The pattern so far is speed and youth. I just don’t understand why people can’t abide by the laws. They are made to protect us. Speed limits are set for a reason. Don’t drink and drive is a no-brainer, but people still do it, they take lives, and then say “I didn’t mean to kill anyone.” Most don’t get it until it impacts their family. We will continue the cause. Thank you for your support.
February 6th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Marsha, they will care when the punishment is made personal. Confiscate the car the first time a drunk driver is caught.
What is a child’s life worth? Is it worth the cost of the car?
If it is your child, it is.
Confiscate the drunk’s car and add punishment from there.
Sharon O’Hara