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WEB UPDATE: Pedestrian killed in Redwood Road crash
Saturday, March 31, 2007
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A Napa homeless man was killed on Thursday night as he and a woman companion were struck by a vehicle as they crossed Redwood Road, just west of Solano Avenue, in north Napa.

The name of the 61-year-old victim has not been released pending notification of his family, according to the county coroner’s office. “We believe we know who the man is, but at this time we are not able to confirm his identity,” sheriff’s Lt. Tom Commander said.
The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman, Rapaula Rodden, 39, suffered multiple injuries and was taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Regional Medical Center.
“The last word I heard about her condition was that she was conscious and talking,” Napa Police Sgt. Paul Paniagua said on Friday morning.

Daniel Palmer, 59, of Napa was driving westbound on Redwood Road about 9:30 p.m. when he came up on the pair crossing the street, Paniagua said. “The victims were not in a crosswalk. They were carrying some sacks.”
Paniagua said at this time it was not clear whether Palmer saw the couple and was unable to stop or didn’t see them until his car hit them.

“They both were wearing dark clothing,” he said. “The street lighting is adequate at that location because of the several street lights and businesses on that stretch of the road.”

Paniagua said it does not appear at this time alcohol was a factor in the accident for the driver.

“We will have to wait for toxicology test results from the two pedestrians,” he added.

Thursday’s victim was the fourth person to die on Napa County roadways this year.

On March 19, Calistoga residents Aaron Porter, 21, and Alexandra Finney, 17, were killed when the pickup they were traveling in was sideswiped by another pickup on Silverado Trail, causing Porter’s pickup to crash into a tree.

The third fatality happened in less than 24 hours of the previous one, also claiming the life of a Calistoga resident.

On March 20, Jennifer Haden, 39, who was four months pregnant, died in a three-car crash on Highway 29, south of Madison Avenue in Yountville.

Haden was southbound on the highway when the driver of a northbound pickup lost control of his vehicle, crossed the double-yellow lines and hit the driver’s side of Haden’s car, killing her instantly.
9 comment(s)

REPUBLICAN KID wrote on Mar 30, 2007 4:11 PM:

" Redwood road could use more street lights. Insted we are buying new bus stops. By the way why is it being reported they where homeless? The law they brokw was j walking. "

Mike wrote on Mar 30, 2007 5:12 PM:

" My condolences go to the victims family and to Mr. Palmer and his family. "

Kid Icarus wrote on Mar 30, 2007 6:52 PM:

" the two new speedbumps really kept the speeding to a minimum last night "

Labels wrote on Mar 30, 2007 7:04 PM:

" I pray that this man rests in peace. That is a tragic way to die. I wonder why the Register felt the need to label this poor man as "homeless" when the fact that he was homeless had nothing to do with this tragic accident. The story would have read exactly the same if they hadn't put a label on him. What a shame that the Register felt the need to glorify their story by labeling him. "

napa parent wrote on Mar 30, 2007 7:43 PM:

" that section of town is very well lit with all the stores and gas stations. once u get to carol dr. it gets darker there. whether they were wearing dark clothes or not, they were in the wrong by not being in the crosswalk, and that time of night there is not much traffic so people do speed on redwood and on solano. "

? wrote on Mar 30, 2007 9:21 PM:

" Rest in peace to the man that passed away last night i was there and it was one of the saddest thing ive seen in my life....just to see someone die like that. I see he did do a wrong think by not crossing the street on the sidewalk and he was j-walking but maybe they should put lights for people that are driving to see thee street...Rest in peace to the man weather he was under the influence or not!!!! "

Roger wrote on Mar 30, 2007 9:48 PM:

" A loss another tragedy. I feel for the homeless. God's love and mercy this man is in a better place. Our prayers to the woman hurts as well and their families. "

sorry wrote on Mar 30, 2007 10:17 PM:

" The City of Napa would be wise to put a long term capital improvement plan together which would phase in lighted crosswalks, These could be used near schools, senior housing etc. This is good long term planning and use of taxpayers money. "

Richard wrote on Mar 30, 2007 10:32 PM:

" There have been numerous times that my conservative forum contributions have not been posted in the past; obviously censorship is alive and well at the NVR. And yet I now read, with total disgust, the extremely rude posting by Kid Icarus. What gives? "

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