TEEN KILLED WHILE RETRIEVING PHONE FROM ROAD
A 13-year-old seventh-grader was killed in Lake Zurich after getting struck by a van in a busy street. The girl was crossing the street with a friend this past Thursday when one of them dropped a cell phone. She ran back to pick it up and was hit by a Dodge van. She died from the injuries she sustained on Saturday morning.
No charges are expected against the vehicle's driver.
Crossing the street is something people do all the time and often forget how dangerous this seemingly safe activity can be. Keep the following safety tips, courtesy of Safety 4 Kids, in mind and share them with your children:
* Do not cross the street. Cross with a grown-up, not by yourself.
* Cross only at the corners.
* “Cross at the green, not in between”: Only cross when you see a “walk” sign, or (if the corner does not have a walk/don’t walk sign) when the traffic light is green.
* Always wait for cars to stop. Look for cars in all directions (left, right, left, plus front and back) before you step into the street to cross.
* Be alert for turning vehicles. They are often so busy checking traffic and turning that they will not see pedestrians.
* Walk on the sidewalk, not in the street.
* Never play in the road, in driveways, or in parking lots.
* Do not enter the street from between parked cars or behind bushes or shrubs.
* Never chase balls, toys, pets, etc. into the street. Ask a grown-up to get them for you instead.
* Wear reflective clothing/tape and (when possible) carry a flashlight while walking after dark.
My sincere condolences to the family of this young girl.
