" I really wish there was a law stating how close a vehicle could park to the end of the street.. Many times it is very hard to see if a car is coming until you get out in the street.. This may not have been the case here, but it is a problem. our prayers are with both parties ... "

" I always look out for pedestrians crossing in crosswalks. However, it is extremely hard to see them especially with cars parked on the street. The law that pedestrians have the right of way is dangerous. It should be the other way around. "

" What a terrible thing to have happened. A few weeks ago at the Lucky's store on California Blvd., I witnessed an argument between a driver of a car and a man in an electric wheelchair. The man in the wheelchair came out of the store at a high speed and proceeded directly into the crosswalk. The car was barely able to stop in time to avoid hitting him. I don't know if something similar happened in this incident, but its possible. I hope everyone will be okay. "

" that is an extremely dangerous intersection, I'm always careful because it's so close to the school... you really never know when somebody's going to be crossing and I think Napa needs what most cities already have: lights on the crosswalk that light up the second somebody steps out... that would definentley save lives!! I wish this man a very speedy recovery "

" A van hugging the edge of a crosswalk... Of course a driver isn't going to see a wheelchair that has entered the street, even if it is inside the crosswalk.

Likewise, the man in the wheelchair can't effectively see oncoming traffic with a van hugging either side of a crosswalk.

Note: If you are a person who uses a wheel chair PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put a flag on the back of your chair so that us drivers who really are trying to watch for you won't accidentally hit you?

Drivers, it looks like when we approach a crosswalk, we need to always assume that someone is going to suddenly appear.

And speaking of crosswalks, how about the one on the corner of Jefferson and C street? I work near there and I can't tell you how many times a day I hear squealing breaks as drivers are trying to avoid pedestrians in that crosswalk.

Possible Solution? Perhaps curbs should be painted red with three or four car lengths from the actual crosswalk?

Lastly, I'm praying for all the people involved in this, that the doctors and nurses would have wisdom and great success in treating Mr. Pagendarm, that there would be a full recovery with no lasting effects, that our law enforcement would have wisdom and fairness of heart, and that the driver, Mr. Cartwright would, if not at fault in this, be found innocent and be able to find peace in what must be a very tragic time in his life. "

" Thanks NVR for writing this article. I was wondering and looking for updates throughout the day yesterday wondering why the area was closed off!

I hope the man in the wheelchair has a good and speedy revcovery, such a horrible thing to happen to him.

And I do question just like those above, what are the laws in regards to people parking so close to the crosswalks? It does make it hard to see when you are the pedestrian or the drivers. "

" Prayers to this man. Now this is example of our poor roads. To restripe or repaint crossings that are visible for the pedestrians and the drivers how much is that, do we actually need to have a tax increase to do this needed improvement. The entire counties list of dangerous intersections can just use a touch up. Put the dollars we have to the little things that may just help ease our anxiety with safety while we use our poor conditioned roads...anything helps... "

" There is a law against parking on the corner. Napa just doesn't enforce it. It's 15 feet. "

" Uncontrolled intersections can be freaky enough without being confined to a wheelchair -- hope the gentleman makes it out okay. "

" give me break register... for not posting both comments! So typical also, I see there is conflict in this paper and AC "

" I noticed that the police have not ruled out alcohol or drugs. "

" Hey, the cost would be lower if you donated your time to paint the curbs. You would be doing a public service!
Parking near crosswalks is legal as long as you do not block the crosswalk or park in an illegal manner. The article indicates that the man in the wheel-chair went into the street out-side of the crosswalk and into traffic, not that he was hit while in the crosswalk. "

" It is very hard to see someone between or on the back of the car specially on Old sonoma rd next to juvenile center NPD or Caltran's I dont know who is responsible for taking care of the street sing's. "

" Please to all of you drive safe specially on Old sonoma Rd where a bunch of people is always walking for all the county bussines and school's "

" I know who Paul is.; he goes to my church. One heck of a guy with a huge heart.

I just heard that he is out of the hospital with just cuts and bruises.

I hope he ends up getting better soon. "

" This is very unfortunate for both parties. However, there are more and more pedestians 'on the road' these days. When using crosswalks, I never step out until I know the driver has seen me. We have all had to hit the brakes, when someone has suddenly stepped out, confident in their 'right of way.' But crosswalks should be better marked. In Sonoma they have flashing lights, in Europe, they are striped and have flashing beacons. I think some of the disabled tend to have a false sense of security in their state of disability and the rights it gives them. I have seen them bordering on rude in stores from their lack of consideration for other shoppers. I know it is a tough break, but you can't ignore the rest of the world as you move along or park your vehicle. Harmony means care and consideration from both parties. "

" Suze,
I have seen it as well.Those that use the scooters provided by the store or in their own at intersections, I sometimes wonder if I am invisible. Hope this guy has a fast recovery. "

" aaron..would be first in line to assist painting curb or crosswalks for safety...this accident was on H and Jefferson, an uncontrolled intersection and one of the worst...its our responsiblity as a city to target these sort of intersections and identify how can we prevent this. The school zone is right down the street and it has already had a few accidents where results should of already forced us to improve crossings for pedestrian and bicyclist visibility improvements. "

" If there was a hotel near that intersection, I'll bet the City would have paid attention. Especially if it was in the hallowed "Downtown" area.

Unfortunately, it usually takes a few accidents before an intersection gets scheduled for attention, which will happen a few years down the road after it gets scheduled for attention. "

" reason-ator...scheduled for attention? Does 2 deaths on school zone call for attention, absolutely! H/Jefferson is near Lincoln/Jefferson..... "

" There are hundreds of "uncontrolled" intersections in Napa. I don't think this is one of them. There is a stop sign on H st, while Jefferson traffic has the right of way -- is this "uncontrolled"? I don't think we need a light or stop sign at every intersection in this town. "

" a light or stop sign doesn't have to be the solution...making effort for improvements to this area is a definite yes...if you had to live in this area and watch Jefferson speeds, you may not post such thoughts. "

" You don't have to enter the crosswalk and poke your head out from behind the van to see what's coming... take a broader look from the sidewalk before going and for your own safety, assume the cars are not going to stop. Pedestrians always have the right of way but they have responsibility like anyone else. "

" I am Fred Cartwright's sister. And I would like people in Napa to know that my brother was very tramatized by the horrible accident that happened to him. Fred is a wonderful person and goes out of his way to make the lives of others easier. And no, in answer to one comment, he was not drinking or on drugs. He was just a guy on his way to work. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. His comment to us was "he wasn't there and then he was". He had no time to react to the situation and his concern for the man in the wheelchair was great. I lived in Napa for 10 years myself and I have always felt that the area around the high school was not adequate for the saftey of the students or for the drivers. I often had to come to sudden stops to avoid students coming out from side streets not really paying attention to traffic. My heart goes out to my brother and to the victim, although at the moment I feel they are both victims of an outdated and useless saftey measure. It is my understanding at this time that my brother if not being charged with the accident, and I am very thankful for that, but I have to ask "does someone need to be killed before changes are made." I pray that's not so. "

" Lori

Your so correct. I agree and implementation of AB 321 for the Napa High School....It's needed and it should qualify, drop that zone to 15 and the 500 to 1000ft will make difference for a life. "

" The only thing I can see that went wrong is that if that cars didnt park right on the side of the road it makes the people who are trying to cross have a harder time because then they have to stand pretty far into the road already from not being able to see in some car windows from them being tinned or darker.ITs more of the carefull watch of drivers,While also more of the 'care-less' teen in napa high dont care & walk right in front of a car "