2 Redmond Workers Die -- Pedestrians Struck In Crosswalk

REDMOND

Two employees in Redmond's Public Works Department were killed and one was injured last night after a pickup hit them in a crosswalk just outside Redmond's city-government complex.

Trudy Sullivan, 47, of Duvall, and Sherry Ducken, 45, of Redmond, were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle around 5:30 p.m. Both died of injuries hours afterward.

The third victim, 48-year-old Phil Cohen of Seattle, was taken to Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, where he was treated for cuts and bruises and released.

At Redmond City Hall this morning, a counseling session was held for employees, and one-on-one sessions were planned for later today, said Redmond police spokesman Brian Coats.

"A number of employees arrived at work not knowing about the accident," Coats said. "It was very traumatic - tears and saddened faces."

When the three were hit, they were walking to their cars and were in a crosswalk in the 15800 block of Northeast 85th Street, which runs along the southern edge of Redmond's municipal campus. As they were almost to the other side, a car and a pickup approached and the driver of the car, seeing the three, stopped just before the crosswalk, Coats said.

The pickup, which was behind the car in another lane, struck them moments later. Coats said the 32-year-old Redmond man at the wheel apparently didn't see them.

It was dark and drizzling, and there was some glare on the blacktop under the streetlights, he said.

The man did not appear to have been driving recklessly, and criminal charges are unlikely, Coats said. The driver was released shortly after the accident.

Ducken had been a civil engineer in the natural-resources division of the city's Public Works Department since February 1995. Sullivan also worked in the department, as a management analyst. She joined the staff in 1993.

Cohen was at home today, and his wife, Debbie Amos, said he was emotionally devastated but recovering from his injuries.

"It's miraculous he wasn't hurt worse," she said. "He's pretty good this morning, but he has a lot of abrasions, pains and aches."

Cohen, who has worked for the city's public works for about eight years, is a senior civil engineer and worked closely with Ducken in the resources division.

Redmond City Councilwoman Nancy McCormick was at City Hall last night and helped console other employees. A 7:30 p.m. council meeting was canceled because of the accident.

McCormick said she had worked with Sullivan, Ducken and Cohen on various committees and had much respect for all three.

"You don't realize the value of that tender thread of life until it's gone," she said.

Keiko Morris' phone message number is 206-464-3214. Her e-mail address is: kmor-new@seatimes.com

Louis T. Corsaletti's phone message number is 206-515-5626. His e-mail address is: lcor-new@seatimes.com