Ann Arbor Huron High School student released from hospital after being hit by car Friday
A female student at Huron High School was hit by a car while crossing Huron Parkway Friday afternoon, according to a robocall that Principal Arthur Williams sent to parents Tuesday.
An aerial view of Huron High School.
From A2schools.org
School officials said the girl entered the street at about 4:45 p.m. in the designated crosswalk area after one car had stopped. Another car, coming up alongside the stopped car, kept driving, according to reports.
School officials said police and EMS responded and transported the student to the hospital. The student is now home recovering and doing OK.
Police with the Ann Arbor Police Department told AnnArbor.com Tuesday there was no record of officers being called to the school Friday.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
snapshot
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 4:41 a.m.
I'm sorry for the child and that she wasn't taught proper street crossing safety and am dissapointed with our over zealous city officials and their misguided efforts that have given these young people a false sense of security with these confusing and often invisible crosswalks. Teach your children well, call your representitives and lets get drivers and pedestrians on the same page of traffic safety.
Hemenway
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:02 a.m.
Motorists, Really, We need to ask ourselves, what is the rush?
eastA2
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
Although I understand the concerns related to A2's law regarding pedestrian crossings, I have to say that this seems like a fairly straight-forward incident in terms of fault. Anytime a car is stopped at a crosswalk, the car has to stop. It is not reasonable to expect teenagers, young children, or even adults to anticipate another car flying by without any precautions for pedestrian safety. It is the responsibility of ALL drivers out on the road to obey the laws, slow down, and look out for pedestrians, bikers, and other cars, period.
JenSciFi
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
Are they planning on adding the High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) system to the crosswalk there? Because that would have helped notify the drivers that someone was trying to cross at the crosswalk. We really need to put the HAWK system on all crosswalks that are on roads with a speed limit higher than 25mph.
Frustrated in A2
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
Then we would have stop and go traffic all around town. How about we don't walk in front of moving cars. If both lanes of traffic aren't stopped then don't walk. That's what I was taught when I was like 5 or 6.
LXIX
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 5:07 a.m.
Thanks to Peregrine above this section of the law is where the city council failed road logic 101 and is responsible for the growing list of pedestrian accidents - "When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop before entering a crosswalk and yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian stopped at the curb, curb line or ramp leading to a crosswalk ..." The problem starts right there where road domain operators have to watch the curb for pedestrian actions as well as their own road for vehicle actions. That added duty is unatural and even dangerous road logic when the sidewalk is clearly not where the trafic responsibility has ever been. The sidewalk is the domain of the pedestrian. If they choose to leave it and step into the domain of the road user then it has always been the pedestrian who must ensure their own safe entry onto the vehicle's domain. The city has tried to put the burden on the driver and logically that added responsibility of anticipating somebody else's actions wthin another domain just doesn't work. Road logic, common sense, and most laws say the pedestrian should never leave the curb until it is safe to do so. Because drivers know not to watch the sidewalk traffic as part of their traditional responsibility only when the pedestrian appears on the roadway does the driver have any sane reason to stop. City coucil says forget logic watch the curb and stop for all those entering the crosswalk whether or not it is safe for the pedestriian to do so. Obviously it wasn't safe - again.
snapshot
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
Pedestrians should wait at the curb until such time traffic is clear enough to allow them to enter the roadway. Then and only then are oncoming vehicles required to stop now that they have plenty of time to see the pedestrian since the pedestrian waited for an appropriate break in traffic. It's really fpretty simple and if you're teaching your kids otherwise then you are doing them a disservice. They may get run down in another city that doesn't have the bizzare leadership that Ann Arbor produces.
Peregrine
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
Crosswalks are designated as an area where drivers and pedestrians necessarily interact. Just as the pedestrian must watch out for automobile traffic, drivers must watch for pedestrians as well. I challenge you to explain using true logic (not your "logic" of convenience) how the ordinance that drivers must yield to pedestrians waiting at the curb played a part in this tragic accident. Do you also disagree with the ordinance that when one car is stopped at a crosswalk that other cars approaching from the rear should not pass the stopped car? Does that violate your "road logic"?
leezee
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
Don't walk until both cars have stopped. Or better yet, do what I do- cross at an area away from the crosswalk. So easy to do on Huron Parkway since it has the huge median. Wait for a clearing, cross to median, wait for clearing, complete cross. I'd rather do that than trust cars to stop.
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:47 p.m.
I was one of the parents who got the robocall today and I'm glad to see the article on this. (I tweeted AnnArbor.com about it.) There are still a lot of questions, though. Other people have asked: what happened to the driver? Were they arrested? Ticketed? Caught? I'm curious to see how City Council will respond to all these recent car/pedestrian accidents. Above all, I'm just glad the girl is alright. Thank goodness her injuries weren't life-threatening. But, I'm sure they were life-changing. I wish her the best and hope she makes a speedy recovery.
jns131
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.
I am waiting on our robocall for Pioneer. Happened this morning. No forgiveness to the one who hit the child.
Danielle Arndt
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Thank you for alerting us to the robocall! As I also responded to another reader above, we are still waiting for more information from the AAPD. I just placed another follow-up call with them and will update the story as soon as I hear back. Thanks!
Peregrine
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:45 p.m.
Here are some relevant ordinances in Ann Arbor. 10:35. - Passing vehicle at intersection. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. 10:148. - Pedestrians crossing streets. (a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop before entering a crosswalk and yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian stopped at the curb, curb line or ramp leading to a crosswalk and to every pedestrian within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. (b) A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into a path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. (c) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
DNB
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
I'm happy this student has been released from the hospital, and I hope she makes a full recovery. A2.com - You have two conflicting statements: "School officials said police and EMS responded and transported the student to the hospital." "Police with the Ann Arbor Police Department told AnnArbor.com Tuesday there was no record of officers being called to the school Friday." Danielle, was this a hit & run, or did the vehicle that hit her stop? This article is unclear, at this point.
Danielle Arndt
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
DNB, thanks for your question. What was reported is all we know at this time. We are just as unclear on the specifics as you are. We are waiting for more information from the AAPD. I just placed another follow-up call with them and will update the story as soon as I hear back. Thanks!
actionjackson
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.
A2xarob "no record of officers being called to the school Friday." Key wording is "to the school." I am sure that the scene of the accident was covered.
Soccer Mom
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
I drop my children off every morning at Huron and see cars fly down the street with no regard for the teenagers walking to school. What it so irritating about this situation is due in large part to the AAPS greatly reducing the number of school buses for our high schools, there are even more students whose only form of transportation is walking. They are at risk of injury every day walking up and down Huron Parkway. The drivers need to be more observant. I wish the student a full recovery.
Lola
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 5:16 a.m.
Yes, Soccer Mom, drivers DO need to be more observant. So do pedestrians.
leezee
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
And I can't tell you the number of times each week on my way to work driving down Huron Parkway parents pull directly out in front of me as they cross the road after leaving the school. Not saying you do that, but wanted to point out that poor driving seems to be taking place on every end near the school.
a2xarob
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
The article says police were not called. Is this correct? So driver was not cited? Please elaborate.
skigrl50
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
There is probably no report that police were called to Huron High School since the accident did not hapen at Huron High School but on Huron Parkway.
Atticus F.
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.
One should never say "I told you so" in a situation like this. ...But in all honesty, as this 'Pedestrian Safety' law was being crafted, I spoke to one of the council members that represents my ward, and told them personally, face to face, that I thought this was a dangerous idea, and that it would lead to somebody being hurt or killed.
Peregrine
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 3:44 a.m.
@Atticus: I've pasted in the relevant ordinances in a comment below. Would you care to specify what you do not like? And if I left out a relevant ordinance, would you help me figure out which one? Should drivers *not* yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk? Should drivers *not* yield to a pedestrian on the curb waiting to enter a crosswalk?
Atticus F.
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
I agree with Lola to some extent. I have seen numerous pedestrians walk out in front of vehicles, as they flash oncoming vehicles a defiant stare... What happens when someone from out of town has the sun in their eyes, or looks away from the road for a second? Our leaders keep saying things like "this law works well in Boulder Colorado"... but they never seem to mention that the areas that have these type of laws, also have some of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country... For some reason, they seem to neglect this crucial fact. I'm thankful the girl is making a recovery.
Richard Carter
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
I've always been told to "attempt to make eye contact" whenever crossing a street where there's any doubt the driver will stop ... what I'm now hearing is that I'm "defiantly staring" when I do. Nope, just wanna make sure we both know I'm crossing if it's legal to do so. If it's no longer legal for me to cross that way, change the law. I can't be psychic as to everyone's opinion as to what should/shouldn't happen somewhere.
Lola
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
Because Ann Arbor's ridiculous crosswalk law has given pedestrians a false sense of security. I am tired of laws being created to protect people who aren't smart enough to protect themselves. Seat belts, texting while driving, crosswalks, motorcycle helmets, etc., all designed to save people from themselves.
Richard Carter
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Riiight... no crosswalks. People should just wait everywhere for a break in traffic which may or may not come and run across best they can.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
You are talking about a child who has been injured. Show some respect.
Steve
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
Agreed. We need to cull the heard, or let them cull themselves. Darwin's law: engage.
G. Orwell
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
I sincerely hope the young girl recovers without any long lasting injuries or scars. Again, I blame the bureaucrats for the idiotic decision to put in the death crosswalks. Particularly in areas where cars travel faster than 25 miles per hour and more than one lane each way. These death crosswalks also cause confusion and they gives pedestrian false sense of confidence. Finally, what are you going to do about drivers from outside of Ann Arbor that are not aware of these death crosswalks? I am sure these drivers have commons sense to believe that people will stop for 5,000 pound cars going at 45 miles per hour. AA city council and mayor, you have another injured/deceased person on you hands. Rip out the crosswalks or give the cars the right-of-way before you kill or injure another person. Those bureaucrats that voted for this stupid policy should resign.
Steve
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
Finally some sense around here. The bureaucrats are always asking the drivers to be more attentive and drive defensively. Nonsense. I say they double the speed limits and remove all crosswalks, bike lanes and other imaginary safety zones. Get with the times and buy a car already.
Griffin
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Why is everyone getting hit by cars lately? This is awful. I wish her a speedy recovery.
Griffin
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
Well, looks like you were right. There's been another accident. Sigh.
jns131
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 6:59 p.m.
Because everyone is in a hurry. No one wants to wait. Rush rush. You will be hearing again about another accident. I am praying this girl makes it. What a nightmare.
kms
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
What happened to the driver who hit her? She was in a crosswalk and the car failed to stop.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
I want to know that too.
Atticus F.
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
The driver will be ticketed more than likely. Unfortunately, if we have somebody killed in the future, no ticket, or no amount of retroactive punishment will bring them back.
Linda Peck
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
I am so sorry the young woman was injured! I hope that she recovers very soon and has no lasting injuries from this. I pray too that she will emotionally and mentally heal from this trauma.