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Student pedestrian accident an educational moment

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By Correne Martin

It was just another normal school day. Local mom, Sara Ross, was working and her kids were off on their bikes to school. 

But, right at 8 a.m., she received a phone call from the school that started out with, “We don’t want you to worry. James is OK, but there was an incident. We want you to talk to him.”

He came on the line and sounded perky, like he was feeling fine.

“Mom, I was hit by a car,” the Bluff View middle schooler said. He also told his mom he didn’t have any cuts or marks from the accident. 

Then, he explained. He and his older brother were biking to Bluff View in the morning. James was leading the way and went to cross the school’s parking lot exit.

“I’ve always taught my kids to make eye contact with the driver,” Sara said. “He thinks he did.” 

But, the vehicle pulled out as he was entering the exit, and a slow crash occurred. James’ bike ended up underneath the vehicle and there was damage to the bike. 

“The driver did get out to see if he was OK, but then they went on with their day,” Sara noted. “The thing that appalled me though is that nobody else got out of their car or stopped what they were doing to take him into the school.”

The two brothers went into Bluff View together and on to class, not telling anyone. 

Thankfully, according to Sara, one person, who knew her kids, did call the office to report it. That’s how she received the phone call about it. 

After speaking with her son, Sara talked to the nurse and asked her to let his teachers know so they could keep an eye on James throughout the day. She and her husband were over an hour away that morning and the decision was made that he was fine enough to finish a full day of school.

On her way home, Sara had more time to think about the entire situation and started wondering why the police department never called her about it. So she called dispatch and asked that question. 

“James was not wearing a helmet,” she shared, adding that his mistake has been addressed at home. “What if he had hit his head? What if he had a concussion? His bike was damaged. So, isn’t there a protocol at the school so that it’s documented (with the police)?”

That day, Sara spoke with Principal Aaron Amundson, and he sent a Skylert message out to Bluff View parents regarding being more attentive and watching for kids when dropping off and picking up their children at the school.

A police officer also came to the Ross home in the evening. Sara said she was glad the officer had a discussion with James about the importance of wearing his helmet too. 

Sara said she’s not mad at the driver in the accident or anyone involved. She said her husband is handy and will fix the bike and that their family is not out to get something out of this. She’s merely concerned about the school procedures that are followed when something like this happens to a student. She’s also discouraged that more witnesses didn’t step up to ensure her son’s safety. 

“I get busy in my own life. In the mornings, I’m thinking about my work, what appointments I have for the day. We’re all in a hurry,” Sara acknowledged. “But, our community is so small; I want to see that we’re watching out for each other.”

The Ross family realizes this incident could’ve been a lot worse than it was. They’re thankful James was unharmed and that there was one person who reported the accident.

In hopes of using this matter as an educational moment for the community, Sara enlisted the authority of Police Chief Chad Abram and Principal Amundson to share their advice.

Drivers are urged to be more vigilant and students are encouraged to wear their helmets and walk their bikes across any intersections with vehicles, even at crosswalks. 

All drivers need to be extra cautious while driving in a school zone before, during and after school. Pedestrians going to and leaving school have the right-of-way in crosswalks, and it is against the law if you do not yield to them,” Abram stated. “Allow yourself more time to get to your destination so you are able to slow down. This will allow for safe traffic in school zones as well as our residential neighborhoods.”

The Prairie du Chien School District is glad to see students bike to school,” Amundson added. “We feel the practice of drivers being wary of pedestrians and bikers when entering and leaving Bluff View, students walking their bikes across the parking lot exit and entrance, and students wearing helmets when they ride bikes will help to keep our students safe as they come to and from school.”

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