Comments

No accident wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:07 AM:

" I still say send Diana back to Mexico. "




read wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:49 PM:

" Pedestrians still have the duty to stop and look before crossing. Just because they are in a crosswalk does not mean they can just run into traffic. This is a case of a indisciplined child not thinking. Trust me this isnt all this kid has done to cause some type of trouble. Ask their neighbors if you know them. I do. "




No Accident wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:30 PM:

" It makes them scumbag freeloaders. There is absolutely someone to blame. Her name is Diana Sanchez. Either she never had a license indicating no driver training or her license has been suspended or revoked for some infraction. Either way illegal or not (I'm still betting illegal though) she had no business driving. If she hadn't been on the road or in this country the kid couldn't have hit her car. And speaking of getting in "hurrys" you might not want to be in such of one when you post. Your posts might be more legible. (although I doubt it) "




nobody to blame wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:57 PM:

" I know white people that have no license and no insurance, what does that make them? I didnt see anywhere that ist said she was illegal or that she hit him with the front of her vehicle, or that he was waiting at the crosswalk so how could she have known that he was late & he was going to come and ram her car, I have 3 kids also they have been taught to look both ways, but the still get in hurrys, so why blame anybody. "




No accident wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:19 AM:

" I wish averyone would stop using the term "accident". There are no accidents. Everything has a cause. In this case it was a little kid not paying attention,(No surprise there) and an unlicensed uninsured hispanic(illegal?) woman driver who should not even be on the road (also not surprising). "




Concerned citizen wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Instead of looking to blame the driver or the child, it would be nice to come together as a community to learn from what could have been a tragic situation. Parents, schools, and community members can use this ACCIDENT as a "teaching" moment that doesn't have to be heard only at school. As a community we need to take responsiblity for our actions. We need to be responsible drivers. We need to teach our children to be responsible for their actions. We need to find solutions instead of pointing the finger of blame, that won't help anyone. "




EVERYONE be alert wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:27 AM:

" I must say, as I walked my daughter to school this morning it was amazing to see both drivers and children taking the time to be aware of each other. It is sad that it was a accident that made it happen, but maybe now the parents of DSS students(and the other schools)can rest a little easier, when their children walk out the door in the morning! Let's all try to learn from this, that child could have been anyone of ours. "




think again wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:13 AM:

" To mom of 3: The kid FLAT OUT told the officer he didn't stop or look both ways. And if someone was driving right behind the girl they could easily tell if she is going faster than they were. REMEMBER: The kid hit the car! Not the other way around. "




FSIN wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:45 AM:

" The kid (on his/her scooter) hit the vehicle. "the driver stopped after the collision and was visibly upset about what happened." What was she upset about? was she upset about her vehicle? Was she upset becase she didn't see the child and now he/she could be hurt? "




Article Title wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:48 PM:

" That third grader should have been more careful before t-boning a car in the crosswalk. Kids shouldn't be driving until at least the fourth grade! "




concerned parent wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:28 PM:

" The other day I picked up my kids from Ruth Powell and we were at the stop sign near Lafe Nelson there was a car in front of us and cars at the other three signs. A big white suburban was at the stop sign directly in front of us. There were some small boys walking next to the suburban one had a skate board. He let go of the skateboard and it rolled under the back wheels of the suburban his little body was directly in front of the passenger back wheel there was no way for the peopleinthevehicletoseehimIhonkedandsodidthecarinfrontfmetheboymadeitoutbuttwashorribletothikhealmostgothurtthevehicleinfrontofmerolleddownthierwindowandscoldedhimandhebegantocryPLEASEPEOPLETELLYOURKIDSTOSTAYOUTOFTHESTREETONTHEWAYHOMETHISCOULDHAVEBEENYOURCHILD!!! "




Driving By wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:38 PM:

" That accident was not at 8:35 as stated. I dropped my child off at 8:20 and drove by the scene a couple of minutes later. Why wasn't the crossing guard still out there? This isn't the first time a kid has been late to school and tried rushing across an intersection. It would have been nice if the crossing guard had stayed a few minutes after the last bell for situations like this. It doesn't excuse either the child or the driver, but that extra set of eyes could have made a difference. "




another parents view wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:49 PM:

" Dear Mom of 3, why do you automatically assume the opposite. Why do you question the authorities, those involved and witnesses. That alone would be enough for the death penalty in Texas. You know the kid never denied not stopping, so why do you assume it was the driver's fault. Plus I don't think you need "radar eyes" to notice if someone is going faster than they should in a school zone. Give me a break. You say you are a Mom of 3, was it your son involved or what? "




Bent Outta Shape wrote on Oct 6, 2008 5:25 PM:

" Sounds to me like the kid is fine. It could have been worse, but it wasn't. I think they call this an accident for a reason.

Still, we should probably get bent out of shape, maybe call upon the city to do something like station officers at every crosswalk so our children never have to learn the advantages of watching where they are walking.

Face it: The kid made a mistake. They will do that from time to time. It's how they learn.

What I learned today: message board folks are wound tighter than others. "




mom of 3 wrote on Oct 6, 2008 4:04 PM:

" another parents opinion-you honestly think for a minute that this girl driving with no license or insurance would seriously be telling the truth about her speed?!not likely.cause then she would be in even more trouble.and give me a break since when does someone(witnesses)have radars in their eyes to be able to judge how fast one is going in a vehicle especially from a distance.how do you know that the child didn't look as he was approaching the crosswalk?witnesses don't see everything!just cause he didn't come to a complete stop doesn't mean he didn't look.maybe he thought she would stop! "




Concerned Parent wrote on Oct 6, 2008 3:45 PM:

" Today I took my kids to school at DSS and I made sure I did the speed limit & I looked & I could have stopped if needed at 15mph at that speed I was able to watch both sides of the road for children.The child hit her drivers door so he was over half way into the crosswalk when she was half way in the crosswalk too. Yeah...22yrs old should know they are to be licensed and proof of insurance. "




Missing the point wrote on Oct 6, 2008 3:07 PM:

" Am I the only one that happened to noticed the driver had no license or insurance? Both are indicators of illegal alieanage. Maybe they feel free to run kids over down south but here in America we stop for kids in crosswalks. "




concerned wrote on Oct 6, 2008 2:13 PM:

" What if this was you? It is hard enough to deal with hitting a child with a vehicle or the child hitting you. Scooters & skateboards are getting out of hand because these kids want to see how fast they can go and how many tricks they can do. I have seen so many videos posted on YouTube with this exact situation. The child is hauling on the skateboard and don't pay any attention and they run right into the side of a vehicle. Some have almost landed under the vehicle. I'm sorry this happened for both parties involved. "




Say what wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:56 AM:

" Ok, what am I missing here?? ..."the driver should have stopped or slowed"?..."the child was already halfway thru the crosswalk before the driver entered it"? Ok, people, read the article again - the child T-BONED the vehicle impacting the driver's door. That can only mean that the driver was already halfway through the crosswalk when the CHILD hit HER vehicle. It doesn't matter how fast the car was traveling, or if the driver had read the posted signs in the school zone - again, the child hit the vehicle, not the other way around. "




EVERYONE be alert wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:31 AM:

" Sorry needed more space... When a car or two actually does stop, most others don't, the children are half way through the crosswalk and if they cross in front of some ones car they think their free to go, turn right or whatever! "Stop for children in cross walk" means just that, the law is from one side of the crosswalk to the other, stepping up on to the sidewalk on the other side! I personaly have had to walk into the middle of that insection to make cars stop for the kids to cross. PAY ATTENTION!!!! "




accidents happen wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:31 AM:

" The kid knew what he did was very very wrong. He was in the ER crying, saying that his dad was going to be very angry because he was always told to look both ways before crossing the street and to walk his scooter. The driver could have been you or me. "




EVERYONE be alert wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:23 AM:

" I walk my 3rd grader to DSS EVERY morning. I can tell you what I see EVERYDAY @ those crosswalks! Parents who are droping their children off in the front of the school, when they have been asked, more times than I can count NOT to. When the crossing guard is not out early enough (my child goes early to have breakfast and "walk the dogs") 90% of the time there are children(I've seen up to 6-8) waiting on the corner of the sidewalk waiting for cars to stop. Most of the time they don't. Those children just stand there.... "




Reality Check wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:55 PM:

" Concerned,
"Doesn't a pedestrian have the right away when in a crosswalk"

ARS 28-101.40
"Pedestrian" means any person afoot. A person who uses an electric personal assistive mobility device or a manual or motorized wheelchair is considered a pedestrian unless the manual wheelchair qualifies as a bicycle. For the purposes of this paragraph, "motorized wheelchair" means a self-propelled wheelchair that is used by a person for mobility.

A Scooter is also not classified as a bicycle because the wheels are not 16" in diameter, but a child on a scooter is also not a "Pedestrian" "




Reality Check wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:48 PM:

" Maybe it is time to look at City Ordinances regarding bicycles and scooters use on Sidewalks. Many cities restrict bikes and scooters from being used on sidewalks or require when a child gets to a crosswalk, they have to actually get off the bike and walk beside and push it through the crossWALK. Many cities not only say that bikes and scooters can not be operated on sidewalks, but that they have to follow the same rules of traffic (Stop at intersections, go in the same direction as traffic, etc). "




Teach the child wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:37 PM:

" I have been taught and have taught my kids to stop and look before entering any street or driveway. Even if the boy was late for class he should have been aware of his surroundings and been more cautious. As for the driver, I'm sure she would have stopped and let the child pass if she had seen him. Even with the school zone 15 mph...if there are children near the crosswalk you should stop and let them cross.
I hope the schools and parents will use this example to reinforce safety issues with their children. "




Stop and Look wrote on Oct 4, 2008 9:49 PM:

" Pedestrians have the right a way BUT when a vehicle is traveling at 15 mph it's impossible for them to stop for a child, a dog, anything if they dart right at the car. How about everyone learn from the situation and no matter what age stop and look both ways but aleast stop and look before you walk, run, or ride in the middle of traffic or any street! "




Concerned Parent wrote on Oct 4, 2008 7:58 AM:

" I thought the purpose of slowing down to 15mph as you enter a school zone was so you can stop if a child comes out or enters a crosswalk. Doesn't a pedestrian have the right away when in a crosswalk? Just because the child was not at the crosswalk when you entered the school zone does not mean you don't and shouldn't stop when/if one comes.9 years old late for school of course he was in a hurry. I think it was good he was even in the crosswalk.That shows he is learning the rules of safety. "




Concerned Parent wrote on Oct 4, 2008 7:46 AM:

" To Think about the children, I don't think a 9 year old child is dumb because he doesn't stop at a crosswalk in the school zone. I have seen ALOT of kids at the middle school crosswalk on bikes ride right out in the crosswalk and yes I have always been able to stop thank god! Children feel safe in that zone and they should it is up to the adults who drive thrue to keep it that way. I don't feel Officer O'Neal did anything wrong. She can only go by what she is told. "




FOUR WAY STOP NOW wrote on Oct 4, 2008 7:24 AM:

" It is fortunate that the injuries were not serious, but the next time this happens it might not be the case. It is time to put in a four way stop at 8th Ave. and 20th St. It should have been done long ago; 20th Ave. is one of the busiest streets in town. Even when school is out kids often cross here. We need to make Safford a safer place. Two more stop signs would not cost much and would slow down traffic on 20th Ave. Many people drive too fast on 20th "




Witness wrote on Oct 4, 2008 12:26 AM:

" Concerned Parent, Sanchez was not cited for failure to follow the posted school zone signs because she didn't fail to follow them. I'd say she was going about 15 mph and was already in the zone before the kid. He was bookin' it down the street on his scooter and never even slowed down when he hit the intersection. Third-grade kid should know better. The law says the kid has to stop and make sure the way is clear before entering. Conversely, when you are driving through a school zone and kids are waiting to cross you stop and letthem. "




Another parents opinion wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:52 PM:

" I think the accident was unavoidable by the driver and a mistake that could have been more serious to the youngster. She said herself she never even saw him. All in all, if O'Neal was the investigating officer she would have ticketed the driver if there was any proof that she was speeding. Haven't you ever seen her with her radar gun telling people to slow down. Speedsters in school zones is one of her pet peeves. So I believe the fault lies with the thrid-grader for making a mistake. His parents probably taught him to look both waysbeforecrossingthestreet. "




Another Parents opinion wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:49 PM:

" Dear Mom of 3, if the child was indeed zooming through and hurring because he was late to class and he didn't even slow down much less stop at the intersection before entering it as the law dictates, it could have easily been you or I that would have been hit by the child. Yes the lady in the car was struck by the child. I'm glad the kid is o.k., but as far as the witnesses said, the lady was not speeding through the school zone. If she was Officer O'Neal would have ticketed her that's for sure! "




think about the children wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:43 PM:

" Please, before you start accusing the driver why didn't the kid stop at the roadway, when there was a car driving by on the road! The article says the accident happened after the tardy bell rang. You can't tell me this kid was not in a hurry to get to school! You are supposed to look both ways before crossing the street! Dumb Kid. "




Concerned Parent wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:35 PM:

" I don't understand why Diana Sanchez was not cited for failing to follow posted signs in a school zone I thought that was a law... but then so is having a driver's license and insurance. I am thankful I am able to take my kids to school and pick them up especially sinse a child is in the wrong when hit using a cross walk. "




MOM OF 3 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:33 PM:

" THIS CHILD HAD TO BE AT LEAST HALFWAY THRU THE CROSSWALK BEFORE SHE EVEN ENTERED IT. THE SIGN CLEARLY STATES STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK. "




Concerned Parent wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:21 PM:

" The sign in the cross walk says Stop when children are in crosswalk....this child was over half way across obviously and she didn't see him? This child did nothing wrong except assume the people driving thrue would read and follow the school zone signs. "