SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane residents are voicing their concerns regarding Highway 2 in response to the growing number of deadly incidents in the area, including one where a woman was killed in a hit-and-run Wednesday morning.
One of those residents, Jennifer Jordan, has lived near Highway 2 for the past four years.
"Every other week, we see a car accident right here," Jordan said.
Jordan has had to put up cones near the highway because of how dangerous it is.
"I had to put cones out for my kids because no one follows the speed limit right here," Jordan said.
Jordan isn't surprised that a woman was killed on that stretch of highway. It's an incident that also isn't surprising to Spokane Police.
Police said nine pedestrians were killed as a result of vehicles in 2023. Another nine were killed in car crashes, bringing the total to 18. Police also said the number of pedestrian versus vehicle accidents increased by almost 40% from 2022 to 2023.
It's those numbers that cause concerns for Jordan.
"I think they need like a traffic light right here," Jordan said. "At this intersection."
Spokane Police say the number of hit and runs have increased in the past several years. Police attribute that to a past state law that prevented police from pursuing cars in most cases and also to the Spokane Police Department cutting its traffic unit. Just last week, state lawmakers passed an initiative that rolls back those restrictions on police, leaving it up to individual departments to determine their own pursuit policy.
For Jordan, concerns remain.
"The only bus stop for people who take the bus is way down there. So, you always see people like from this building and stuff," Jordan said.
Police said if someone happens to accidently hit someone or something, stop and check. If a resident cooperates and police find them to not be at fault, there may be no charges. But, if you do run from a crash, you could get charged with a hit and run and even a vehicular homicide if someone died.
"Every time I pull in right here, I have to be really careful because they just go so fast," Jordan said.
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