posted
01/29/10 07:34 AM
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updated
01/29/10 07:34 AM
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News, etc.
Pedestrian Killed in Aurora Collision
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D.R.T.
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Actually, sadly, in the black humor shared by emergency workers, the victim didn't die at Harborview, but was what we call "DRT", or Dead Right There. I watched the first responders performing CPR on the man prior to arrival of the paramedics. They were working on him on the ground in the middle of the street. The guy crossed Aurora at a spot where there was a pedestrian underpass just yards away. I see this all the time, and wonder when I'll be that unlucky driver. |
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Comment by
Witness
1 month ago
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RE: D.R.T.
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Witness, Not sure if SPD was attempting to make things less traumatic, but thanks for setting the record straight. |
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Comment by
ben.k
1 month ago
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RE: D.R.T.
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| It's actually pretty common practice for ambulance services and fire department medic services to continue doing CPR on someone whose brain is obviously oxygen deprived (from either cardiac or respiratory arrest, or exsanguination) beyond the ability to recover ("brain death"). They will do this until they get the patient loaded in the ambulance, and usually all the way to the hospital, even though it's mainly to provide the loved ones the sense that they didn't just give up on the patient. This spares families the trauma that comes with having to acknowledge that the patient died at that location, but rather died at the hospital emergency room. Some cities' protocols allow medics to declare death at the scene of a call, but unless it's severe body trauma or a dead for hours/days scenario, they'll usually do what I described above. | |
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Comment by
Witness
1 month ago
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RE: D.R.T.
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Interesting to know the protocol on that. I actually saw the accident happen - had just left my home nearby and was driving northbound on 99, he ran in front of me and a couple other cars. It was really weird, he just jumped over the barrier and kept going, right into the path of that one vehicle - it was the only one right there and then a gap after it. I saw and heard the impact; was surprised later on to hear that he had been taken to the hospital, but I guess as you say perhaps it was just protocol. Sad and frustrating. I also see people crossing quite often, and I don't know why they haven't put up some stronger deterrents to doing so - more "no crossing" signs in the median, or even some extra fencing in some areas on top of the jersey barrier. As a frequent driver on Aurora I also feel even more worried now about being "that driver" when someone who just doesn't care runs out there. Actually, isn't it a bit strange that they even have sidewalks, and just a low median, along a stretch of 6-lane highway where traffic is frequently traveling over 50 mph? Hmmm. |
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Comment by
Just_In_Seattle
1 month ago
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D.R.T.
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| Any information on who he was? Just-in-Seattle's description almost makes this sound like a suicide--sad! | |
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Comment by
S.A.F.E.
1 month ago
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