North Charleston grapples with pedestrian deaths
5 Hispanic men killed on Ashley Phosphate since late 2006
Danger zone
PEDESTRIANS KILLED or SERIOUSLY INJURED:
--Ashley Phosphate Road and Rock Street, June 1: Antonio Mendez Perez, age unknown, critically injured around 6:50 p.m.
--Ashley Phosphate and Stall roads, May 17: Gabino Hernandez-Pascual, 24, struck fatally around 11:15 p.m.
--Ashley Phosphate and Mazyck roads, Feb. 25: Ramon Navarette, 46, struck fatally around 7:30 p.m.
--Ashley Phosphate and Rock Street, Aug. 16, 2007: Two men carrying a case of beer across the street both suffered critical injuries when hit by a car around 9:40 p.m.
--Ashley Phosphate near Mazyck Road, Feb. 25, 2007: Albaro Carrizal-Martinez, 39, struck fatally around 4 a.m.
--Ashley Phosphate and Spartan Boulevard, Feb. 4, 2007: Victor Manuel Duarte, 34, struck fatally around 6:30 p.m.
--Ashley Phosphate Road and Rock Street, Oct. 30, 2006: Jose Gonzalez, 51, struck fatally around 9:50 p.m.
Pedestrian facts
--From 2001 though June 2, 57 Hispanic pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in South Carolina, about 8 percent of the 720 pedestrians killed in the state.
--Of the 57 killed, most — 33, or 58 percent— were in four counties: Beaufort, Charleston, Greenville and Horry. Charleston County had nine from 2001 through June 3, the same as Greenville County and one less than Beaufort County. Horry County had five.
--Seventy percent of Hispanic pedestrian fatalities happened between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
--Pedestrian deaths as a whole were down this year compared with last year. There were 41 in 2008 as of June 3 versus 45 during the same period in 2007. Only two of this year's pedestrian fatalities involved Hispanics, both struck on Ashley Phosphate Road.
A woman holding a cardboard box of Budweiser beer stumbled drunkenly into Ashley Phosphate Road, ignoring a red "don't cross" signal, and was promptly mowed down by an oncoming car.
People laughed. It was just a skit, after all. Tape on the floor represented Ashley Phosphate and Stall roads, while a man in a cardboard box making engine sounds played the car.
Despite the laughter, the message for the mainly Spanish-speaking audience at a North Charleston church on Thursday evening was deadly serious: Be careful when you cross the street.
"What we're going to do tonight is show you the proper way to use a crosswalk to save your life," said North Charleston Councilwoman Rhonda Jerome, addressing the monthly crime and safety meeting at the New Covenant Church of God.
Five pedestrians killed on Ashley Phosphate since late 2006 have been Hispanic men, as was a man critically injured June 1 in an auto-pedestrian accident. Hispanics are victims in a disproportionate share of pedestrian traffic deaths in South Carolina.
From the beginning of 2001 through Tuesday, 57 Hispanic pedestrians had been killed in traffic accidents in South Carolina. That was about 8 percent of the 720 pedestrians killed here during that time, said Ed Harmon, assistant director of the state's Office of Highway Safety. During those same years, a large number of Hispanic immigrants arrived in South Carolina.
Harmon said Hispanic pedestrian deaths increased during those years, from 3.7 percent of the total in 2001, to 4.3 percent in 2002. It reached 10 percent in 2003 and stayed near that level through 2007. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey estimated that Hispanics made up 3.4 percent of the state's population, though some experts feel the census number is low. Since many are in the U.S. illegally and are barred from obtaining driver's licenses, they are more likely to walk.
While the numbers might be higher, Harmon said the reasons for the deaths are often the same: "No matter what their cultural background, if you look at the statistics, it's going to be a male traveling at night who's had something to drink."
But one factor is different. Generally, auto-pedestrian accidents are more of a problem in rural parts of the state. Yet many Hispanic pedestrians were killed in more populated areas.
It's actually easier for officials to prevent urban pedestrian deaths through engineering measures such as marked crosswalks.
But it's up to people to use them. After the amusing dramatization Thursday night, North Charleston traffic officer Pfc. Brian West illustrated in sobering terms. As one of the officers who investigates traffic fatalities, West told the crowd he's probably one of the last people they would want to see at night.
"In the past weeks, we've had two very serious accidents at Ashley Phosphate and Stall," he said.
The policeman was referring to the May 17 accident that killed 24-year-old Gabino Hernandez-Pascual and a June 1 accident that sent a man to the hospital with critical injuries that included two broken legs.
"Both people who were hit were hit outside a crosswalk, and both were extremely intoxicated," West said. "I can't stress how important it is to use the crosswalks. If you're hit outside the crosswalks, you're at fault."
The other pedestrian death this year was Ramon Navarette, a 46-year-old from Mexico killed on the night of Feb. 25 while trying to cross near Mazyck Road. Though the accident happened near a marked crosswalk, authorities said Navarette didn't use it.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention injury database shows that Hispanics in South Carolina were about three times as likely to die in a auto-pedestrian collision as Hispanics in the country as a whole, and four times more likely than the general population. The database numbers may not be accurate, however, because they rely on population estimates from 2000, before Latino immigration to the region started increasing dramatically.
Lydia Cotton, a volunteer liaison between police and the Hispanic community who played the ill-fated drunk in the skit, said alcohol has consistently been a factor in the deaths. She thought education could improve the situation.
"In all the cases I've dealt with, there's alcohol," Cotton said. "They have to walk, they don't have a choice. They don't want to drink and drive."
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com
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Comments
JohnS (anonymous) says...
Crosswalks and safety devices for people crossing the road does not exist in many parts of Mexico. All signs in the mexican areas of North Charleston should be both English and Spanish. It's cheaper to do this instead of having to ship bodies back to Mexico at the gov expense. More English and public safety classes should also be taught.
June 9, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sherlock (anonymous) says...
wow this story has brought to my mind all of the times that i have seen black folks cross rivers avenue (down around the navy hospital area) and they never look both ways. they just walk out into the road thinking that they have more right to the road than the cars do. they dont look up or anything and im surprised that many of them havent been hit. mom and dad always told me to look both ways before crossing the street. did no one elses mom and dad tell them the same?
June 9, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Pedestrians have NO right of way in the roadway unless they are LEGALLY in a crosswalk when the signal says they can cross. If people are too stupid to watch the signals and obey, they take their lives in their own hands. The road is for VEHICLES, NOT pedestrians or bicycles.
June 9, 2008 at 3:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GM (anonymous) says...
JohnS
Are you suggesting we open Pandora's box and start using dual language signs? That is a very bad idea.
June 9, 2008 at 4:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Slick50 (anonymous) says...
Maybe they were being profiled...
June 9, 2008 at 4:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vtsusa (anonymous) says...
IMO, the street signs should NOT be in both English and Spanish, this is not the United States of Mexico. If they are going to be in OUR country, learn OUR language and for those that are here illegally, go home!
June 9, 2008 at 5:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
No dual language signs, learn the language of this country, ENGLISH! I drive this road everyday and it's amazing how the illegals just pop up out of nowhere when I'm driving. Especially around Stall rd known as (little mexico) around here. At least the kids know how to use the cross walk. I see them crossing correctly.
June 9, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
feb251939 (anonymous) says...
We don't no stinkin' signs.
June 9, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Creeker01 (anonymous) says...
Dual Language signs are not indicative of a UNITED States... they are for those who wish us to be DIVIDED.
DO YOU GET THAT LOWE'S???
June 9, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
"No matter what their cultural background, if you look at the statistics, it's going to be a male traveling at night who's had something to drink."
Wow yep it's all Mexicans. It's normal for alot of folks not to cross at crosswalks but hey it's another opportunity for folks to look down their noses at some one or a group of people.
Well I guess all tourists need to learn English than before visiting the US huh if that's the way it's gonna be, yessiree?
Another article for the local xenophobes to get themselves lathered up about. I see the creeker is bothered by signs of the two most commonly spoken languages in the world. Must be the same person that I overheard gripping in Lowes about it yesterday. Yeah those dual language signs are a real dozy to overcome. Ignorance is bliss in these parts.
June 9, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Actually, I do not think that I would have too much of a problem crossing the road at any point...a delay of course but no problem. I think the problem could be attitude. They start their American experience breaking the law and survive within it by breaking more laws. Most Americans act like they do not see them. What the heck is one more law going to mean.
June 9, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
JohnS - When Mexico, Central America and South America start issueing dual language signs come back and talk to me about "Your" problem.
Until then feel free to go to the bank and take as much of "Your" money as you want, to buy signs that make you feel good.
June 9, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
Perhaps a little education regarding Federal Immigration Law should be the next meeting topic.
June 9, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sj301 (anonymous) says...
Although it is a different part of town than the article's about..I agree with Sherlock. I work near Rivers and Cosgrove. Folks walking in that area could care less about traffic signals. AND you don't need to read English to understand the "Don't walk" symbol on those signs for pedestrians.
June 9, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5thGenerationLocal (anonymous) says...
Sometimes you just gotta take the warning labels off and let mankind distinguish the weak from the strong. Keep on rolling N. Charleston. While your ways at controlling immigration are harsh, you are on the right track!!!
June 9, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Wow a drunken Mexican stumbles across the street and gets hit by a car, well if the local officials wont pick them up and send them back to medico then I guess this way works too. Too bad insurance rates will go up.dang always a catch..
June 9, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
I guessings mexicans were never good at "frogger" either.
June 9, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beth1070 (anonymous) says...
It doesn't take a genius, or a rocket scientist, or even the ability to speak English to know that if you step out in front of a 3000+ pound moving vehicle, you are going to get squashed.
June 9, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imthemom (anonymous) says...
1. Just because you are hispanic, does NOT make you STUPID but must give you the right to act that way! READ the sign...hell you don't even have to read it, it shows a hand and a person walking. Then again, if you are not IN the crosswalk, you probably wouldn't see the sign. If cars are coming, any normal person would assume it is not safe to cross when one of those metals things with wheels are coming your way!
2. This one really pisses me off...when a ped is hit crossing Ashley Phosphate Rd., the LEGAL US citizen STOPS!!!!!!!! Unlike the illegal "accident" on Ashley Phosphate Rd, committed by an illegal, causing the death of a legal US citizen...seat belt or not!!
Now, how much of our tax dollars were spent in coving expsenses to teach an idiot how to cross the road. Even a 4yr old knows better!
June 9, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Just think the Mexicans want to send their non compliance trucks and truck drivers over here to work, just think how many we could mow down in a day in every city and state, geez we might have an answer to the illegal problem.
June 9, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chilldiesel83 (anonymous) says...
I think I would rather swerve to keep from hitting a deer or a wild boar... I drive a big 4x4 truck. I might install one of those old gates that they use to put on the front of locomotive engines to scoop the cows off the track! Watch out, im coming through!!!!
June 9, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
"The other pedestrian death this year was Ramon Navarette, a 46-year-old from Mexico"
We went from calling them illegal aliens, to undocumented aliens, to guest workers....now we refer to them as "a person from Mexico"????????????
June 9, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Dont they still have that street sweeper go thru there every night, mmmmm just make the drains bigger and let the sweeper take care of the rest, wouldn't be any worse then the pot holes in Charleytown, damn need to come up with a solution on the case of beer terible waste there when they break, foam rubber case????
June 9, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missthang (anonymous) says...
sherlock and raregar,
IGNORANT!!!!
June 9, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
It's called survival of the fittest. Automobile's and crosswalks have become natures newest way of weeding the ignorant from our population. Not to be harsh, but if you can't figure out not to walk in front of a vehicle moving 50+ mph, then you're no smarter than a deer or a dog. Sad, but true...
June 9, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
The next time one of you gets caught speeding, the officer should shoot you on spot. After all you were knowingly doing something illegal. Chances are if they let you go you will eventually commit the same crime so they should just shoot you now and save us the trouble. It would make my morning and afternoon commutes much more pleasant.
June 9, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
This huge wave of illegal immigrants coming from Mexico in particular is a collection of the poor, the uneducated, and the bottom of the barrel. Feel like arguing that? I have seen it with my own eyes. Mexico is making a killing out of them!
So, what do you expect? No, they don't have the language or the culture:NOT EVEN FROM THEIR OWN COUNTRY!!
June 9, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
suec,
your analogy is way off! If you placed US CITIZENS in Mexico, then it would be an analogy.
Big damn difference!
June 9, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
toastchee (anonymous) says...
>>NOT pedestrians or bicycles.
This is a common misconception. Please remember bicycles are 100% legal on all city roads. As gas gets higher an higher, you'll see more of us out there. Please keep an eye out!
June 9, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kerry (anonymous) says...
Why is it that these aliens can cross a border with ease, but have so much trouble crossing Ashley Phosphate Road?
June 9, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
Ashley Phosphate should change names to Ashley Fist-Fight Rd.
June 9, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Sounds like instead of beer they should be carrying a box of choclates.....
June 9, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
proud2
Regardless of where you are, you are committing a crime.
I agree that something needs to be done about the illegal immigration problem.
What bothers me is the attitude of some of you. The "shoot em, they are worthless, scum of the earth" type attitudes.
You were born in this country through the grace of God or pure luck, whichever way you beleive. You did nothing to deserve being born in this country where a full belly and a warm or AC'ed house are the norm.
June 9, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charles_Town (anonymous) says...
Funny Kerry
June 9, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
Do not argue that Hispanics have more culture than the Americans, it doesn't apply to this.
Now, if we were talking authentic foods, folklore dancing/music, old ruins, or manners toward tourists, yes you'd have a point. Please note I refer to these illegal immigrants crossing Ashley Fist-Fight in the middle of the night, while intoxicated, and not using the crossing signs, as bottom of the barrel. They are dumb hard headed people that do not qualify to come legally.
That is called uneducated people that can't really talk their own Spanish language.
givepeace, do you speak Spanish? Can you tell the difference between proper and un-proper Spanish? Do you know a legal immigrant from Mexico?
June 9, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
suec,
I was born in Queretaro, Qto., Mexico. I sure as heck embrace being here and I'm thankful for the opportunity. But you do not know my story, I've worked very hard to be here and these people give my family a bad name.
I'm not very happy with this wave of illegal immigrants, can you tell?
June 9, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jet5104 (anonymous) says...
I feel bad for ANYONE that gets into an accident involving personal injury BUT ... (isn't there always a but?) I'm ex Navy, travelled the world, blah blah blah. I've been almost every where and NEVER got run over in a crosswalk. That's because even a drunk sailor (like I usually was) knows the difference between a symbol for walk and one for DON'T WALK DUMMY!!! Dual Language won't help these folks, they've got no respect for our laws in the first place. The article states that a disproportionate number of Hispanics are involved in pedestrian accidents. Is it proportionate with the number of illegals populating the area? If you don't have a license (because you're here illegally to begin with) you can't have a car (not that that will stop a lot of them) so you have to walk. So when you're drunk and used to having to sneak around in the shadows, you get run over! Sorry Jose, tough luck. I just wish that after they get run over, we didn't have to foot the bill for their uninsured a** that gets dragged to the Hospital for treatment.
Counselwoman Jerome should spend her efforts and OUR tax dollars on clearing out the neighborhood instead of empowering them to feel safer and welcome. Maybe the Working Class who have jobs, own homes, pay taxes and support the economy ought to consider leaving Good Ol' North Chuck to the Welfare Crew and see how they do on their own.
"You have to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"
June 9, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jet5104 (anonymous) says...
JohnS ... Why should we ship 'em back? They GOT here with no return address, just like Junk Mail.
June 9, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
Hispanic, Latinos, heck I never knew what I was until I got to the States:
Just like your family, I am a mutt living in the USA
June 9, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Kerry, good idea. Rename AP Road to Rio Grande Blvd. and charge them a fee to ferry them over.
June 9, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beerjoy (anonymous) says...
I sure do appreciate that mouth.
I knew this was my place when I got here, and to tell you the truth, I want to always live here.
Do you remember Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan?" That's right, we should all EARN THIS!!!
June 9, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GG (anonymous) says...
Cotton said, "They have to walk, they don't have a choice. They don't want to drink and drive."
They do have a choice, many of them...
1. Go back o Mexico.
2. Don't drink.
3. Don't cross the street just anywhere.
4. Learn English.
Anybody want to add some other choices they have? I know there are some I have missed!
June 9, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Trixie (anonymous) says...
If they are carrying beer & crossing illegally plus they are illegals.....How many laws do they have to break before people say they are getting what is coming to them....Karma...anyone ever heard of that?
June 9, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realman (anonymous) says...
It is remarkable that so many Mexicans are being killed by cars. There must be a reason. Drunk? Stupid?
Perhaps they don't understand what crosswalks are for, or they don't understand what green or red means within that context?
There are young children who know how to cross the street, yet adult Mexicans don't know how to cross the street?
This is really bizarre.
June 9, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jojo1128 (anonymous) says...
As a nurse at MUSC I have taken care of most of these auto vs pedestrian survivors. The ones that make the news and the ones never mentioned. The majority of the these patients are blacks, followed closely by caucasians. Very few are hispanics. This article is flawed and inflammatory to garner exactly what it has received...hateful remarks and debate about illegal immigrants. I do not support people being here illegally, but I do support news that is unbiased and reported accurately.
June 9, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Time4action (anonymous) says...
If they are too drunk to see a car coming, they are too drunk to read a sign even if it is in their language
June 9, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dianed43 (anonymous) says...
lets not make this just about the mexicans. what about poor michael demarco who was hit last year on dorchester rd. a hit a run with no charges and he was left the hospital bill. he was in critical condition. i saw his injuries. no summons issued to those driving the car...shame on N. Chas PD.
June 9, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
And Senator Graham works hard to maintain this status quo.
June 9, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Early glad your back and Kerry that was hilarious!
Did anyone else hear Lindsey Grahams ad listing all his "accomplishments" and his "willingness" to take on the tough issues like the war, taxes, etc,etc. Made no mention of him trying to push the amnesty thing down our collective throats.
I don't even remember the other guys name (witherspoon i think) but i'm voting for him tomorrow. We need to send him packing to send a signal!
June 9, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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