1 killed, 5 injured in pedicab collision

One person was killed and five injured when a pedicab collided with a van shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday at a busy Belltown intersection.

Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel said preliminary witness statements indicated a pedicab with two passengers may have suffered an equipment failure and was coming downhill westbound on the sidewalk of Cedar Street when it entered the intersection with Western Avenue against the red light. The pedicab, a tricycle-like vehicle which seats passengers behind the rider, collided with a white van.

A scooter also traveling in that direction "entered the intersection and collided with the overturned pedicab," said department spokeswoman Reneé Witt.

Police have impounded the pedicab for inspection. Officers do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, said Sgt. Sean Whitcomb.<

A 60-year-old male passenger of the pedicab died at the scene. A female passenger, also 60, and the male pedicab driver, 23, were transported to Harborview Medical Center. A hospital spokeswoman said today that the woman remains in satisfactory condition and the male driver is in serious condition and is likely to be moved out of the intensive care unit. The male scooter driver, 57; the male van driver, 20; and his female passenger were all treated at the scene.

Ryan Hashagen, the owner Cascadia Cabs, which operated the pedicab involved in the crash, said this morning that he is working with their insurance company and preparing a statement about the incident.

When asked how he and employees are doing, Ryan Hashagen said "It's not about us right now."

Vinnie Brassesco, who lives in an apartment building at Western Avenue and Cedar Street, saw the aftermath of the accident.

"I was sitting in my apartment, and I heard a boom. Really loud. I looked out. One guy was under the van, the other guy was pressed up against the front tire, and the lady was laying in the road," he said.

Another witness, Deborah Hudlow, who was sitting on the 11th floor deck of her condominium, said "The first thing I heard was a scream. It sounded like a woman. And as I turned my head I heard the impact. And then I saw the pedicab pretty much up in the air."

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com