Ballard woman killed in DUI crash spurs calls for intersection safety improvements

SEATTLE — Seattle detectives say a woman, whom they believe was driving under the influence, ran a stop sign and hit and killed a 65-year-old woman who was walking her dogs.

The crash happened Monday night at 14th and 46th streets in Ballard, near the Trader Joe’s.

“I heard a scream and a thud and I ran outside,” said Earnest Hilsenberg, who lives at the intersection. “You could see the damage on the car, it didn’t look very good,” he said.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

• WATCH: Detonation of explosive device floating in Puget Sound
• Police: Suspect beheaded girlfriend in front of 3-year-old
• 12th cat found mutilated, killed in Thurston County
• Body of elderly woman fond near Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

First responders rushed the victim to Harborview Medical Center, but she died from her injuries Tuesday.

The King County Medical Examiner identified her as Cara E. Masciana. Her daughter, Morgen Masciana, told KIRO7’s Deedee Sun that her parents lived on their boat just a few blocks away.

Masciana said her mom walked the dogs in this area every day, but with all the traffic and construction, she always worried.

She and others also say the intersection where her mom was hit and killed is not safe and needs improvements.

Hilsenberg, who has lived at the intersection for more than 40 years, said the stop signs – especially on 46th Street – aren’t visible enough.

“They put those little orange flags on them, but it probably needs to be a flashing stop sign,” Hilsenberg said. He said he sees drivers blow through the stop signs there every day.

Other people familiar with the intersection say even during the day, they don't totally feel safe.

“Even right now, just crossing the street,” said Hans Fostvedt, who walks and skateboards in the area. “An accident like this should never, never happen, someone getting killed in an intersection,” he said.

KIRO 7 took those concerns to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

SDOT said stop signs were installed there a couple of years ago after they noticed T-bone crashes happening at the intersection, and say the four-way stop works - when people obey the signs.

SDOT said it is taking this crash very seriously, will review the police report from Monday’s fatal crash and will perform an assessment of the intersection.

One of Masciana's two dogs was also hit in the crash and needed veterinary care but will be OK. A GoFundMe has been set up to help for Masciana's funeral expenses. Click here to view.

Cox Media Group