Local Cyclist Struck, Dragged in North Mercer Way Accident

A local cyclist was rushed to Overlake Hospital with minor injuries after she was struck in the crosswalk near the on a busy section of North Mercer Way on July 19.

According to , the woman and a companion were cycling eastbound along the northside of North Mercer Way and the 28-year-old victim stopped for traffic at the intersection with 81st Avenue SE before entering the crosswalk at 6:14 p.m.

Moments later, a compact Audi Q5 SUV driving south on 81st Ave. SE came to a stop at the stopsign and turned right into the crosswalk, striking the cyclist. According to the report, the 48-year-old resident claimed to have looked both ways at the intersection before turning, and then "heard a scream and stopped her car and saw she had hit a cyclist."

According to a witness, the woman was dragged a few feet and her left leg was "pulled up into the front of the right front wheel housing." EMTs treated the woman for minor injuries and transported her to the hospital.

The segment of North Mercer near the Park & Ride lot has long been identified as a accident-prone stretch. Two nearby intersections along North Mercer Way, at SE 26th Street and 77th Ave. SE, by a citizen analysis on bicycle accidents as Mercer Island City Council considered a no-parking ban on sections of North, West and East Mercer Ways.

The Audi SUV driver was later cited for failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.