November 12th, 2009
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Author: SEATTLE – Brittany Hollenbach, a University of Washington senior, was taken off life support Thursday. Hollenbach had been in critically condition after she was struck by a car while running across a crosswalk late Tuesday night in the University District.
Hollenbach, 22, was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and a former Richland High School swimming champion. According to Seattle Police reports, Hollenbach had ran into the path of the red 1995 Honda Civic on NE 50th Street after the light had turned green. She was transported to Harborview with serious head injuries.
The driver of the Honda, a 20-year-old man, was questioning and released after police found no sign of drug or alcohol impairment, reported the UW newspaper The Daily.
A vigil for Hollenbach will be held Thursday at the Delta Delta Delta sorority from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is helping members of Hollenbach’s sorority with the resources they need, including connecting sisters with the UW Counseling Center, to cope with the tragedy.
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awayngone said on November 12, 2009 at 11:52 AM
As tragic as this is, I’m not surprised. I’m also a UW senior and in my time on campus not a day has passed that I have not witnessed countless instances of students stepping off curbs in front of cars, and THEY NEVER EVEN LOOK UP, let alone look both ways; Bicyclists ignoring stop signs on the Burke-Gilman trail before sailing merrily into traffic; Students who do look up but still step in front of cars trusting that surely a driver MUST see them. There seems to be some sense of pedestrian entitlement running rampant both on and near campus that allows these people to believe that the laws of physics don’t apply to them. They may have the right of way in many instances but the right of way won’t save you when a 5,000 lb car comes into contact with your skull. I’m so sorry for the lost opportunities this lady will never experience and my heart breaks for her family. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I can only hope this brings some awareness of pedestrian responsibility on campus.