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Car struck while stopped at Western Springs pedestrian crossing
A car was struck Nov. 1 after stopping at the pedestrian crossing on Ogden Avenue at Woodward Avenue. | Photo courtesy of Bobbi Omerza.
Updated: December 9, 2012 7:12PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — A driver who stopped for an activated crossing signal on Ogden Avenue at Woodland Avenue was rear-ended shortly after 4 p.m. Nov. 1.
There were no pedestrians or bicyclists in the crosswalk at the time of the crash, though a bicyclist was in the south parkway of Ogden who had activated the crossing signal, said Deputy Police Chief Brian Budds.
Michael L. Barys, 45, of 107 Pearl St., Willow Springs, was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Barys was driving east on Ogden and failed to slow and stop and struck the stopped vehicle, occupied by two people. The 17-year-old driver of the struck vehicle complained of a minor neck injury and was checked by paramedics, but not taken to the hospital, Budds said.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
The pedestrian crossing has been there, but on June 25 a warning sign was added that includes a flashing light activated by pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross. But neighbors have said there have been more near misses since the sign went up, suggesting pedestrians who activate the light have a false sense of security, because traffic doesn’t always stop.
Police in August had documented two accidents directly attributed to the crossing since the sign went up.
Neighbor Bobbi Omerza has campaigned against the warning signal, took photos of this accident and informed The Doings. The accident was not included in the weekly release provided by the Western Springs Police Department.
