Published: September 20, 2008 05:18 pm            

Flashpoint: Great help appreciated, but road safety still a concern

A vehicle hit my 10-year-old son on Aug. 15 on Margaret Avenue around noon. I would sincerely like to thank all of those involved in assisting and in acquiring assistance for him after he was hit or just stopped to see if we needed anything.

I cannot express how much your help meant to us. I would like to thank the off-duty sheriff’s deputy who was first on the scene. I didn’t catch your name but if you are reading you are to be commended for your professionalism and for taking time from your private life to respond and to help us in our time of need. THFD was unbelievable by giving the best care and attention possible to my son. They answered the call very quickly, maintained his attention, kept him calm and informed, in addition to providing the most outstanding medical care on the scene and while en route to the hospital.

My son is still carrying the stuffed, spotted puppy that was given to him in the ambulance. I did not catch the name of the EMT who was in the back of the ambulance monitoring him while en route to the hospital. I have encountered you many times while working within the health-care field, picking up patients to transport. Never once did I think we would cross paths again by picking up my own son. However, I am glad that we did. The compassion you gave my son was truly unforgettable. Thank you to the officers from the THPD who responded and helped keep the scene safe until my son could be moved to the hospital.

The ER, radiology team in Terre Haute Regional Hospital deserves recognition as well for the exceptional care that they provided and for arranging his transfer. Thanks to the Air Evacuation Lifeline Team who gave him his first ride in a helicopter and saw him through to Riley Children’s Hospital. Thanks to Riley Children’s Hospital where he was given most superb care and attention throughout his stay. He had many physicians, surgeons, radiologists and nurses while there. Rest assured, he will be back for continuing care. I am very thankful for all of you.

Thank you to the students and educators at Sugar Grove Elementary School for the fantastic handmade cards, gifts and well-wishes. Thanks to coaches, teammates and the football teams from Sarah Scott and to everyone from Sarah Scott who also showed concern and sent well-wishes. This also extends to all others associated with the football league that showed concern as well.

Last but not least, thanks to my family for continued support and assistance, my best friend and her family, my neighbor and all others who may know me, my sons and/or my family. The continued support and prayers are appreciated beyond words.

I don’t understand why the lady that hit my son has not bothered to make any inquiry as to his condition. However, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to make sure he was all right and providing the police with your version of the event instead of leaving the scene. Maybe the next time you want to talk to somebody on the cell phone you can either let somebody else drive or stop and pull off the road. I realize that you were in a very big hurry to get to your destination. I do hope you made it safe and sound.

To the gas station attendants near the site for not believing the woman who ran in to ask you to call 911, your response to this accident made an impact on where I will take the majority of my business from now on. How did you feel walking out to watch the EMTs care for my son? While you did not want to get involved you sure did want to rubberneck and to gawk at the scene. You’re a great addition to society. I’m sure your employer feels the same way.

To the powers that be in Terre Haute, I would especially like for you to explain why you have not seen a need for providing a safe pedestrian crosswalk at this intersection. I realize that you are in limbo as to what exactly to do with this area, such as re-routing the railroads, or building an underpass or overpass. But money spent to keep pedestrians safe is really an investment.

I have lived in this immediate area for 24 years both before and after it was rezoned from county to city. The stoplight may have been a great addition to control the traffic flow at this intersection but it really has done nothing to make the intersection safer for pedestrians. I suppose there was no money in the $200,000-plus you got for closing the railroad crossing on Lockport Road to provide types of devices to control foot traffic. A crosswalk to keep pedestrians in this area safe would have cost very little. Other things such as pedestrian cross lights, pedestrian crossing signs or sidewalks may have also prevented my son’s injury.

I suppose that it is too expensive to protect children, mothers or fathers pushing strollers, disabled, elderly, or others who may need to cross the road or travel by foot/bicycle, isn’t it? There are also Vigo County school bus stops, city bus stops, U.S. Postal mailboxes (including mine) on the north side of Margaret in this area and these things are just another tragedy waiting to happen. I suppose that somebody will have to lose their life needlessly before it becomes politically expedient to take action to protect people.

To all drivers going through this area, I realize that waiting on the trains or traffic make you quite irritable. When you are finally able to proceed through the intersection or across the tracks, please take the time to monitor your surroundings. Whatever you do, don’t try to make the traffic light going east by increasing your speed across the railroad tracks. There are people, yes, including children, who do occasionally need to cross the street.

In my son’s case, he was trying to get home, not just darting aimlessly across the street as it has been reported. It is confusing to an adult to find a safe way to cross the street in this area. There are no pedestrian crosswalks. As hard as it is to believe, families with children do live around here. This could have easily been your child, nephew, niece, or grandchild. Please be careful and slow down in this area.

— Renee R. Garner

Terre Haute

        

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