Family and friends of Daniel Ecklund, the 19-year-old Brier man critically hurt in a skateboarding accident on August 30, have been mourning his loss since Thursday when Ecklund’s parents announced he “has passed away.”
Jeff and Renee Ecklund wrote on a website created as a remembrance to their son, “He was given Last Rights around noon (on 9/5). Head injuries sustained from his accident were too severe to survive.”
Ecklund had been riding a longboard eastbound on 235th Place Southwest in Mountlake Terrace when he collided with a utility trailer being pulled by a truck on 39th Avenue West. He suffered severe head injuries and was given CPR at the scene before being transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The hospital has been alternating his condition status between serious and critical since the accident.
In addition to notes of condolence to the Ecklund family, some who are commenting on the danielecklund.org website and elsewhere are seeking a change in the intersection where the accident took place.
Mountlake Terrace city officials confirmed this week that they are studying the 39th Avenue West — 225th Place Southwest intersection. “The city’s engineering staff will be taking a look at collision data associated with the 39th — 225th intersection, as well as looking at collecting traffic data — speeds, number of vehicles, etcetera,” said Interim City Manager Scott Hugill.
“Before any changes are made to an intersection, state law outlines that we first look at factors, called warrants, to gauge if a change in traffic control meets certain criteria,” Hugill explained. “One of these factors, or warrants, to look at is collisions occurring at intersections.”
— By Doug Petrowski
I am happy to see that the city is finally looking at this intersection that we as neighbors have been concerned with for YEARS.
I am so sorry that it is taking the tragic death of a vital young man in order to get this done.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Daniel’s family, as words are not enough.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. May God Bless your family. We don’t know you or your son, but the accident happened close to home. We will be placing something special later today. Take care n God be with you!