Twelve pedestrians have been killed on Edmonton streets so far this year, compared to one at the same time last year.

"There seems to be no rhyme or reason sometimes," said Staff Sgt. Bill Horne of the Edmonton police traffic unit.

"For example, last year we only had one pedestrian fatality for the whole year, drastically down from the previous year. Nothing special that I can think of that was done last year that would attribute to such a low number, but certainly this year we've had a stretch of bad luck."

Last Thursday, a woman in her 40s was walking along a dark west-end street when she was hit by a garbage truck.

On Wednesday, two pedestrians were mowed down one block apart on 109 Street. Both victims were sent to hospital with serious head injuries.

Charges are pending in all the incidents as police continue to investigate.

Over the past few years, the number of pedestrian deaths has ranged between about five and 10.