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Boise pedestrian identified after being fatally struck by car

By Katy Moeller
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the south side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise.
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the south side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise. (Photo by Katy Moeller)

A 58-year-old man died at a local hospital after being struck by a car in a Boise intersection Wednesday, Boise police said in a press release.

The collision happened at the intersection of South Vista Avenue and West Targee Street, north of the Dutch Bros Coffee on Vista. The intersection has a traffic signal and street lights.

The Ada County Coroner identified the victim as Sam Willie Jr. on Thursday.

Police were called to the scene just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, the release said. Investigators determined that the driver who struck the pedestrian was traveling north on Vista before the collision. She remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

Police did not release the name of the driver.

The northbound lanes of Vista Avenue were shut down while crash reconstructionists took measurements at the scene late Wednesday. No charges were filed Wednesday night.

It was the second pedestrian death in Ada County in just over a week, and at least the fourth this year.

Pedestrian deaths in Ada County hit a six-year high in 2017, when five pedestrians died after being struck by vehicles. Annual pedestrian deaths in Ada County ranged from two to four from 2012 to 2016, according to Idaho Transportation Department data.

Details in state crash reports from the five deaths in 2017 point to poor, possibly criminal, decisions on the part of drivers and/or pedestrians. Two drivers were charged with felony vehicular manslaughter. One driver was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Commonalities in at least four of the five incidents: fading light/darkness and drugs and/or alcohol.

Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the south side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise.
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the south side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise. (Photo by Katy Moeller)
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the north side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise.
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the north side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise. (Photo by Katy Moeller)
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the north side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise.
Crash reconstructionists take measurements at the scene of where a car struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night, Oct. 24, 2018. This view is from the north side of Targee Street at the intersection with Vista Avenue in Boise. (Photo by Katy Moeller)

This story was originally published October 25, 2018 at 1:00 AM.

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