No serious injury for man hit by car in Northgate area

Injuries suffered by a pedestrian hit by a car near Northgate Mall on Thursday evening are not as serious as first thought, Seattle police said Friday.

The 31-year-old man, who was struck by a car shortly before 7 p.m. near North Northgate Way at Meridian Avenue North, was raced to Harborview Medical Center with what authorities described as "life-threatening injuries." But after receiving an update from hospital officials, police said Friday the man should be fine.

"He has no serious injuries and should be discharged today (Friday)," Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt said.

Initial emergency calls to police reported a "possibly highly intoxicated" man was struck by a car after he "darted out into traffic" two blocks west of the shopping center, Witt said.

A white Chevrolet Cavalier driven by a 28-year-old woman hit the man, who smashed into the car's windshield before falling to the pavement and striking the back of his head, Witt said.

Investigators shut down a stretch of Northgate Way for three hours while investigating the scene. Blood-alcohol tests performed on the driver whose car struck the man showed "no indication of impairment," Witt said.

The injured man, meanwhile, could face jaywalking or other possible citations for his actions, Witt said.

"That will be determined once the investigation is completed," she added.

Lewis Kamb: 206-464-2341 or lkamb@seattletimes.com