Another pedestrian dies, days after Modesto police announce grant for new safety efforts
A male pedestrian died Saturday after being struck on McHenry Avenue about midblock between Sylvan and Woodrow avenues, the Modesto Police Department reported.
The crash occurred about 7:20 p.m., according to a Modesto Fire Department incident summary. Emergency responders found the man down in the road, suffering major injuries. He was taken to a medical center, where he died.
The preliminary investigation found that a Modesto woman driving a Ford Fiesta was southbound on McHenry when she struck the pedestrian. She remained at the scene, cooperated with the investigation and showed no signs of impairment from drugs or alcohol, police reported.
Witnesses to the crash are urged to contact Officer Justin Beverson at Beversonj@modestopd.com.
The man is at least the fourth pedestrian killed in Modesto this month.
A study released in August, using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, ranked Modesto 32nd among the 225 deadliest cities in the U.S. for pedestrians. Three other Central Valley cities — Fresno, Sacramento and Stockton — also ranked among the top 50.
“We’re really trying to up our shifts where we can go out and enforce pedestrian stuff — educate, change behavior by citations — but it just keeps keeps happening, and it doesn’t have to. It’s tragic,” Modesto police Sgt. Pat Kimes said Sunday morning.
The Police Department announced just last week that it has received a $44,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to fund bicyclist and pedestrian safety efforts.
Through September 2024, the grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety:
▪ Walking field trips with older residents and pedestrian safety education to those who are experiencing homelessness.
▪ Pop-up events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.
▪ Bicycle training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors.
▪ Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need.
▪ Community and school education presentations.
▪ Community bike rides that encourage and teach riders safe riding skills.
