The tragic accident on September 14 on the corner of Ritter Ave. and Washington St. took the life of a seven-year old, and hospitalized two adults, including the victim’s mother and a crossing guard. A candlelight vigil for the little girl was held and the community showed up in force to mourn and remember. The crowd also called for more policing of drivers through the school zone on a busy section of a major thoroughfare. Drivers of both cars involved in the accident remained on the scene and cooperated with police in the investigation.
With schools closed for much of last year due to the pandemic, drivers seem to have forgotten the rules of the road when it comes to school zones and bus safety. Just a few days before the accident on Washington and Ritter, another child was killed on the east side going to a bus stop in the early morning hours. The 12 year old was killed by a hit-and-run driver on North Mitthoefer Rd. near Penrith Dr.
In Indiana, school zones must be clearly marked with signage and warnings of reduced speeds ahead, as well as marking the end of the school zone. Speed limits in school zones in the state cannot be lower than 20 mph, and vary by municipality. In addition, the lower speeds are only when school is in session or when children are present. Speeding in a school zone is a Class B traffic infraction and can be punished with a fine up to $1,000. However, drivers are cautioned to pay close attention near schools even after hours, as children sometimes participate in after-school activities.
Drivers are urged to avoid distracted driving, including talking and texting on cell phones. Indiana law prohibits texting or checking e-mails on cell phones while driving.
Weekly View co-owner Paula Nicewanger hit a child by accident years ago (read her story below).
To prevent another tragedy, the community is making a pledge to slow down in school zones throughout the city.
Paula’s Story:
Paula’s story:
Fifty years ago this very month, I was heading home from my first year teaching art at School #3 on Rural north of Washington. I was heading east on 10th Street off Rural on a heavily traveled and congested section with parking on both sides. Traffic was barely moving and the oncoming traffic was at a stand still. A 9 year old darted between the parked cars and through the stopped oncoming traffic and her and I saw each other at the same time over the front left corner of my ‘63 Delta 88 Olds. Luckily I was only going 15 miles an hour, but the impact sent her flying. Her mother was right behind her yelling that she told her to stop running back and forth across the street (she was selling candy for a school fundraiser). She broke her left femur and had to spend time in Community East. I went to visit her several times and she was actually quite happy to have a TV (theirs was broken at home) and she got cheeseburgers and ice cream any time she wanted and didn’t have to go to school. She’d be about 60 years old now and I will never forget that accident and I never drove that car again.
