Woman dies after van hits her in St. Paul crosswalk

Updated: June 8, 8:36 a.m. | Posted: June 7, 8:12 p.m.

A woman was struck and killed Tuesday by a minivan while crossing Cayuga Street, increasing St. Paul's pedestrian fatalities to three for the year.

"That's three too many," said Steve Linders, St. Paul Police Department spokesperson, as he called for drivers and pedestrians to take precautions.

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The woman, who hasn't been identified, was in the crosswalk at Cayuga and Arkwright streets when the minivan hit her as it turned left on Cayuga Street at about 4:15 p.m.

Linders said the woman had the right of way.

Police arrived and performed CPR. Employees from HealthPartners Specialty Center nearby also tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate the woman.

HealthPartners, which operates Regions Hospital, said the pedestrian killed was an employee at the hospital.

"This is a difficult time for all of us," Regions Hospital spokesperson Scott Beedy said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to our colleague's family and loved ones."

Grief counselors will be available for colleagues in the next few days, he added.

The male adult driver, who had a minor child in the vehicle, showed no signs of being impaired and was cooperating with police, Linders said. Police are still investigating and charges could be possible, he added.

Linders says there have been at least 65 pedestrian-vehicle incidents since the beginning of the year.

"We really need drivers to work with us on this," Linders said. "They need to put their phones down. They need to pay attention, and frankly drive the way they drove when they were 16 years old, with their guardians, mom or dad in the car."

Linders also had advice for people crossing the street.

"Just because you have the right of way, doesn't mean it's a good idea to step out into traffic. When a car strikes a pedestrian, the pedestrian is going to lose."

Earlier this year, St. Paul police began a campaign that officials likened to a DWI enforcement effort. The "Stop for Me" campaign will hold an awareness event at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson Parkway and Ames Avenue with patrols to catch motorists who commit crosswalk violations.

MPR News reporter Riham Feshir contributed to this report.