Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org



FATAL COLLISION INVOLVING A PEDESTRIAN
Saturday Morning October 5th – 6:17 am

Despite a broad scale, ongoing multiagency campaign to combat vehicle-pedestrian collisions, San Mateo mourns the loss of another pedestrian life in a fatal collision that occurred at dawn this past Saturday morning, October 5th.

SMPD Officers and Emergency Medical Personnel responded early Saturday morning to a reported collision involving a pedestrian in the area of 25th Avenue and El Camino. The pedestrian, a 66 year-old female, was struck while crossing El Camino Real eastbound in a crosswalk at 25th Avenue. Tragically, the pedestrian did not survive the collision, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the involved vehicle, an 18 year-old female San Carlos resident driving a newer SUV, remained at the scene. DUI does NOT appear to have been a factor in this collision, and the exact dynamics of the incident, including the low light conditions, speed of the vehicle, and the direction of traffic signals at the time remain under investigation. SMPD Traffic Personnel will submit the results of their complex and extensive investigation to the District Attorney’s Office for review, if appropriate.

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office has identified the pedestrian as 66 year-old Shama Ayyad, of San Mateo.

SMPD Traffic Officers have held three public meetings over the summer to educate our public, and have done well-publicized enforcement campaigns as seen on KRON to highlight the potential dangers to pedestrians in traffic on El Camino Real. Several mid-county cities have experienced serious injury accidents and fatalities among our senior population. The particular danger that this type of accident poses to our aging community is of great concern. SMPD is partnered with our neighboring police departments in Burlingame, Foster City, and Hillsborough in prioritizing Senior Pedestrian Safety as part of our countywide Saturated Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). Below are some proactive measures that pedestrians can take to maximize their safe approach when walking in or near traffic:

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TIPS -
• Stop and look both ways before entering a street, even from a driveway or parking lot. Look left, right and left again before entering the street. Make eye contact and make sure the driver sees you before crossing in front of a car.
• Follow all signs and signals.
o Start walking only when “Walk” or white pedestrian is showing.
o If the red hand is flashing, you may continue to cross, but don’t start.
o Do not start walking against a “Don’t Walk” symbol (VC21456 (b)) or if the red hand is steady.
• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
o Don’t walk in the bike lane if there is sidewalk available. (VC21966)
• The safest place to cross is at a corner, with or without a crosswalk. (VC21954 (a))
o Crossing mid-block where drivers are not expecting to see you is the most common cause of pedestrian injury.
• Pedestrians do not automatically have the right of way, even when there is a crosswalk.
o Pedestrians must give cars enough time to stop before entering the street. (VC21950(b))

CONTACT SMPD’s TRAFFIC BUREAU:
For Traffic Related inquiries or Parking Issues -
SMPD Traffic Bureau (650) 522-7740
SMPD Abandoned Vehicle Hotline (650) 522-7766

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Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a neighborhood watch program, and help anyone that might fall victim to a crime. If a Neighborhood Watch doesn’t exist on your block, you can start one with help from SMPD. For additional information about the City of San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Program, call Sergeant Dave Norris at (650)522-7626 or visit our web www.cityofsanmateo.org