OPINION & EDITORIAL
Prioritizing pedestrians
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Letters to the Editor:
- SSFC stipend appropriate (December 11, 2007)
- Poor plowing cuts off handicapped access (December 10, 2007)
- Cars that actually help the environment (December 10, 2007)
- Organic food: Deliciously safe (December 10, 2007)
- Diversity deserves attention at UW (December 7, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Readers donate opinions (March 23, 2007)
- Accident prompts me to rethink my civic duty (August 8, 2001)
- Transfer agreement bad for UW (April 26, 2006)
- Boycott of dolls a misguided action (November 3, 2005)
- Fear of flying irrational, if common (September 8, 2005)
by Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thank you for your coverage (3/12/07) of the hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Regent & Park. The man injured in the accident is my cousin, Luke. He is a current MATC student with aspirations of transferring to UW. Luke continues to lie in a coma at a Madison hospital. He has a constant crowd of friends and family waiting for a chance to pass by his bedside and beg him to use his strength and youth to pull through.
Like Luke, I moved to Madison to find myself and begin my future. Madison prides itself on being the sort of place that attracts the best and brightest, people with a social conscience, and those who value the safety and stability that can be provided by a tight-knit community. As a former resident and UW grad, I was appalled to learn that Luke is neither the first nor the second student to be hit by a car this semester, but the third. I fear that Madison is in danger of losing the safety that makes it such a unique and wonderful place to live. I fear that Madison residents will become passive in the face of constant tragedy. I fear that the best and brightest will stop seeking sanctuary here. More than anything, I fear that Luke will not get justice for the pain and damage that some person has caused him.
As an alumna, I urge you to make your community stronger by taking responsibility into your own hands. Write the mayor about pedestrian safety. Call in drunk and reckless drivers. And please, my family and I beg of you, be vigilant in keeping your eyes open and your friends informed about the vehicle we are looking for in this tragedy.
Sincerely,
Jill Peerenboom UW alumna Tallahassee, FL
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 10:05am):
I don't know the exact circumstances in your cousins accident, but I truly wish him a quick recovery. That being said I'm someone that drives into work here at the UW, and then walks a few blocks from the parking garage to my office. During those walks to and from I often see students & other staff walk on to streets with out a hesitation or even looking both ways. In some areas like in front of the Memorial Union the pedestrians have the right of way, that does not mean they have the right of way every where. In this day and age personal responsibility has been thrown out the window, it seems like there is always someone else to blame.
Remember look both ways and even if you have the right of way, it doesn't do you any good if you're in a coma or worse dead.
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 5:06pm):
Please Woods/Judge propose a new city ordinance that all cars must have pillows tied to the front or pedestrians wear tin foil. And please announce this in a comprehensive press release.
- Germain E. Stemme
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 9:35pm):
On behalf of Luke's extended family we'd like to send our thanks out to a number of people. First, to the person who stopped to render aid, to Luke's friends who stayed by his side, to the quick response of the emergency crew, to the police dept for their investigation, to the caring hospital staff, and to all our friends and others for their thoughts, prayers, and support during this very difficult time.
As our families spend our days and nights focused on Luke, we're trying to maintain positive thoughts while hoping for the best possible outcome. We don't have the energy to waste negative thoughts on this tragic situation. We all realize that accidents happen and also know that people make mistakes. It's how we handle those mistakes that define the people we want to be, or person we actually become.
To the driver of the vehicle who left the scene, we believe you made a mistake, however, you now have a decision to make and that choice will define the person you are to become.
Please continue to keep Luke, his family, and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 10:25pm):
To the person from 10:05 am., As a student here, it is my understanding that pedestrians always have the right of way when they are in the crosswalks. And to the ever crabby 5:06 pm.person, do you really think it was OK for the driver to just leave? If the driver was not doing anything illegal, why flee the scene before the police arrive?
Anonymous (March 14, 2007 @ 8:02am):
I thought it was legal to cross the street in a cross-walk, and illegal to run a red light. BUT!!! apparently there is someone out there that feels they can run red lights and hit someone and think that they are doing no wrong!! Well you should maybe think again!!!
UW MADISON CLASSMATE
Anonymous (March 14, 2007 @ 9:50am):
It is also a personal responsiblity to maintain control of a moving vehicle, not to mention the decision to get behind the wheel after drinking. The student who is lying in the hospital made that responsible decision Friday night!
What about the personal responsibilty to stop after you hit something!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this student.
Cody Peerenboom (March 14, 2007 @ 3:50pm):
To the man/woman who did this to my brother if you think that it is okay to basically kill my brother than you need some very serious mental help but for the sake of my family and freinds please turn yourself in...My brother was an outstanding person and for a worthless humanbeing like yourself you need to get some points with the man upstairs turn yourself in please...my brother had the right of way not you who hit him without even caring if you killed him or if you injured him... RED IS STOP NOT RUN THE RED LIGHT AND SEVERLY INJURE A YOUNG MAN!!!
Cody Peerenboom
Anonymous (March 15, 2007 @ 11:17am):
To 10:25:
Are you trying to say pedestrians have the right of way even when they run across the street on a don't walk signal when cars don't have time to stop?
Anonymous (March 15, 2007 @ 1:03pm):
If there isn't a light they have the right of way
Anonymous (March 15, 2007 @ 5:39pm):
As one of Luke's cousins our family really appreciates your prayers. Last time I checked it was legal to walk IN THE CROSSWALK but it was illegal to RUN A RED LIGHT, HIT SOMEONE, AND THEN NOT EVEN STOP.
Right now our family is hoping that when the driver of the vehicle fleed the scene they did not know the extent of the damage that they did to Luke. We are hoping that now that they are hearing it on the news, and seeing it in the paper that they will come forward, now that they see how much damage they did to Luke, and how much pain and suffering they are putting both Luke and his family and friends through.
To the driver of the vehicle that hit my cousin (wether it be a man or a woman) PLEASE just come forward and say you did it.
PLEAS CONTINUE YOUR PRAYERS, THEY REALLY HELP, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THEM!!
Anonymous (March 16, 2007 @ 6:39pm):
Luke I love you and i know that you will have the strength to pull through this.
TO the man/woman that hit my cousin PLEAS PLEASE just come forward and say you did it. It will take some of hte pain that our family is goin through away
Anonymous (March 17, 2007 @ 4:50am):
Hi, My name is Curt Collins, I was in the car right next to the one that hit Luke, I would like to just set the record straight, that it wasn't a red light, i don't where the police got that because both me and my sister told them that it was green, because we were side by side with that van that hit Luke, We waited to go till after Luke was out of our way, but the Van did not run a red light, and if i need to talk to the police again or something and re-tell them that i will, but just so everyone is aware it was green, because we were even with the van that hit luke, me and my sister whitney stopped right away, I called 911-It was a very tragic thing to see, I was quite a reck after that as my aunt had said, and my mom who responded, I cried for hours after-I hope Luke Wakes up, and is ok, it changed my life, it changed how i live my life, whenever i'm at that intersection i get freaked out-It made me realize how precious life is, and how important family is, I am so sorry that this happened, I wish there was more that I could have done to help Luke but i never felt so helpless in my life-I ran to the regent hospital or whatever one is on the corner of regent and park, because they had an ambulance right there, so i thought they'd be able to do something faster then 911 after they were called, but they didn't do anything but call 911 again which i thought was ridiclous, but the emergency crew was very prompt in responding to help him, to see what happened to Luke, I was in the passenger seat and it literly happened right next to me, if he would have flown the other way he would have landed on my car-It was awful, and I seriously hope he comes out fine, i guess you just to have faith that he will be ok...
I wish that we would have got the vans plates, but it all happened so fast my main concern was getting out of the car, and calling 911....I didn't have time to think let me get his plates...or much less remember them or write them down....
I think that about sums up everything of how i feel, i would like to be posted about what is going on with him, and know his status if at all possible, i have a personal email
curtcollins75@hotmail.com
if a member of his family could keep me posted, he is in my thoughts and prayers just as you are....
Curt Collins
Anonymous (March 20, 2007 @ 12:02pm):
Thank you Curt for all you have done to help out Luke. I am Lukes Aunt and seeing him lying in the hospital is very hard. You did the right thing by stopping and I wanted you to know that the family appreciates all you have done. Keep on praying for him as we all are doing. It was a tragic thing that happend but Luke was lucky to have someone like you to stop and render to his aid.
Thank you again
Jackie
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 3:07pm):
I am also a cousin of Luke's and to Curt Collins thank you so much, you calling 911 was a great help. All of Luke's family, and friends really appreciate the fact that even though you did not hit Luke you were polite, kind and considerate enough to stop and render aid to my cousin.(considering that the man/woman that hit my cousin did not stop and take responsibility for their actions).
So once, again Curt Collins THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOUR ACTION OF CALLING 911 WAS A GREAT HELP!
Anonymous (April 1, 2007 @ 7:32pm):
Unfortunately, a miracle was not to be. Luke passed away on March 31, after life-support was removed. His organs were donated so others might receive a miracle for their loved one.
He was surrounded by dozens of family and friends during his last hours. The care he received at UW-Hospital was the best he could have received any where. The staff was very compassionate to everyone who visited.
Thank you to all for your prayers and support during this difficult time.
Anonymous (April 7, 2007 @ 6:59am):
To Whomever committed the hit and run that killed my friend luke:
I am in the united states army and i am currently serving a tour in afghanistan with the 82nd Air Borne Division. I am over here sacrificing my freedoms and all of the wonderful rights you have at this moment so people like luke can live their lives free and with out worry not to be hit by a damn mini van that just speeds off and never says a word. im not fightin this war so you can go and hide while lukes parents and family are grieving for a lost soul while you are still out there doin what you do living life, life that should be still running through the veins of my man luke. if you have and remorse what so ever you should turn yourself into the authorities so that lukes family may get some closure, but judging by the time that has passed since the accident and you havent done anything yet, you probably wont say anything. so if i get back and they still havent found you, i will find you, and i hope for your sake that it doesnt have to come to that cuz ive got friends, money, and ways to make you sorry. Ill back in august for 2 weeks, the choice is yours.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
