Manhattan man struck in crosswalk

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A 21-year-old man was struck by a vehicle while crossing in a marked crosswalk Monday evening, the latest in a troubling trend of pedestrian injuries across Kansas.

Collin Rankin of Manhattan was hit by a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz driven by Larry Limbocker, 78, also of Manhattan, just before 6:30 p.m., according to Riley County Police Department records. Rankin was transported to Via Christi Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the collision.

Limbocker was cited for failure to stop at a red light, police said.

The incident comes as Kansas continues to grapple with rising pedestrian accidents. According to data from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the state recorded 17,476 traffic injuries in 2021, part of a troubling upward trend. In 2022, Kansas reported a 10% increase in fatal crashes compared to the previous year.

"These are serious public safety concerns," said a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Transportation, adding that the department urges both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution.

Nationally, pedestrian fatalities have reached crisis levels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that pedestrian deaths spiked to their highest number since 1981 last year, with fatalities rising nearly 80% over a decade. At least 7,508 pedestrian deaths were reported nationally, marking what safety officials have called a pedestrian safety crisis.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has emphasized the dangers posed by vehicle speed. According to KDOT data, 13% of pedestrians struck by a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour will die from serious injuries. That percentage jumps to 40% at 30 mph and 73% at 40 mph.

In 2018, Kansas City experienced its highest number of pedestrian-involved traffic crashes in at least four years, with 360 crashes resulting in injuries and 22 pedestrian fatalities. That equates to nearly one pedestrian accident per day.

The primary causes of pedestrian accidents in Kansas, according to traffic safety officials, include drivers failing to yield at crosswalks, distracted driving, speeding and failure to maintain a proper lookout.

Riley County police remind residents to remain vigilant on roadways. Drivers are urged to always watch for pedestrians, never pass other vehicles at crosswalks and avoid distracted driving. Pedestrians are encouraged to use marked crosswalks and walk signals, remain visible to drivers and avoid wearing headphones that might prevent them from hearing approaching vehicles.