Three people hit in crosswalks; one dies

Tatsuo Nakata, a 29-year-old man struck while in a West Seattle crosswalk Tuesday morning and described as "a bright shining star," has died.

Nakata, the chief of staff to City Councilman David Della, was on life support Tuesday awaiting his parents' arrivals from out of state, according to Councilwoman Jean Godden, who said she was at the hospital Tuesday with scores of others.

"Tatsuo was just the sweetest and loveliest guy," she said. "Here was somebody with so much promise."

Nakata was walking in a marked crosswalk at 47th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Admiral Way at 7:41 a.m. when he was struck by a station wagon, according to Seattle police. The 35-year-old driver, who was not identified, was questioned and released, said police spokeswoman Debra Brown. Police are still investigating.

Nakata was taken to Harborview Medical Center and died Tuesday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

A graduate of Seattle University, Nakata was the council's youngest legislative aide and the youngest president of the Seattle Chapter Japanese American Citizens League. Before joining Della's office, he worked as a legislative aide to a state representative.

Meanwhile, another a pedestrian has been struck in a West Seattle crosswalk.

An 11-year-old boy suffered minor injuries after he was struck near the intersection of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Hinds Street, according to Seattle School District.

The collision happened shortly after 7:30 a.m. outside Madison Middle School, a district spokeswoman said.

And south of downtown Seattle at 6:43 a.m. today, a 57-year-old woman was struck by a car while she crossed at First Avenue South and South Lander Street, according to Seattle police spokeswoman Debra Brown.

The woman was hospitalized for serious injuries. The 61-year-old man behind the wheel of the 2007 Toyota Corolla that hit her was interviewed and released, Brown said.

Seattle police are investigating all three accidents. Authorities say all three who were hit were crossing in marked crosswalks.