From the Middletown Police.
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On Tuesday, February 07, 2012, at approximately 2:09 P.M., a serious motor vehicle versus pedestrian collision occurred on LaRosa Lane just west of Newfield Street.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, operated by, Mr. Brian Bomely, age: 52, of Middletown, was traveling in an easterly direction in the left side travel lane on LaRosa Lane. The pedestrian, a 15 year old juvenile, crossed between two school buses traveling in the right side travel lane, and subsequently into the path of the vehicle.
As a result of the collision, the juvenile was transported to Hartford Hospital for injuries sustained in the collision. Mr. Bomely reported no injuries.
Witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Officer David Godwin of the Traffic Unit (860) 344-3264.
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Update, 6:50PM:
Additional information regarding the motor vehicle versus pedestrian collision that occurred on LaRosa Lane:
The 15 year old juvenile struck by the 2007 Volkswagen, is in stable condition at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
A second juvenile, age: 16, sustained minor injuries after falling to the ground to avoid being struck by the 2007 Volkswagen. The juvenile was transported to Middlesex Hospital for precautionary reasons. At this time there is no indication that the juvenile was struck by the vehicle.
Witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Officer David Godwin of the Traffic Unit (860) 344-3264.
Not to be insensitive and I hope the teens are doing well, but these kids walk LaRosa Lane and Newfield Street with little safety measures. They frequent Dunkin Donuts (I don't know why they're let out from school to do this) and have crossed Newfield Street without waiting for the walk signal (like Wesleyan students). I do hope the school takes better measures in providing safety for these kids...
ReplyDeletenot only safety measures but emotional processing for these kids. Thankfully this wasn't a loss of life, but there were kids that witnessed this. There are also kids that know the people involved and have a lot of emotional trama to deal with. High school is an emotional time. I hope that the school district has started to learn something about communication and will help the kids process today.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is at the school and friends with the boy that was injured. She has texted me from school today because kids are talking everywhere about what happened. Some kids are talking about graphic details. Some kids are blaming the student or the driver.
This is an opportunity for the school district to work with kids in a positive way to dispell rumors, teach some safety and help them move on.
I am not sure what physical changes should occur. Dunkin Donuts is a draw, this happened after school, the kids will continue to go there. Some have suggested a sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. I don't think that is the best idea becuase the kids will still want to cross at non crossing places because their friends will be on the opposite side. Maybe a crossing guard. Maybe the busses have to clear before pedestrians are allowed to leave. Not sure any are a good idea. The kids are comfortable walking between buses because that is how they find their bus at the pickup area, they walk between them.
I have turned onto La Rosa at pickup time and had kids walk between the buses waiting at the light, you can't see them until they are in front of you.
Maybe the admin needs to get a group of parents, students, someone from Dattco together to talk about how to improve this. It is only when people from different perspectives come together do we start to address all or most of the issues.