Student hit by bus recovering, accident prompts more discussion on intersection
According to social media posts, a Pulaski County High School student is expected to recover from being hit by van while on his way to school Tuesday, Oct. 23.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office reported this week that on Tuesday at approximately 7:55 a.m., deputies responded to the intersection of Cougar Trail Road and Mountain View Drive for a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, deputies found a teenage male who was in need of medical attention and observed a 2016 Ford van stationary in the roadway.
The teenage male was transported to New River Valley Medical Center where Lifeguard transported him to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
During the investigation, it was learned the teenager was attempting to cross Cougar Trail Road after been dropped off on Mountain View Drive to walk to Pulaski County High School. The teenager was struck by the passenger’s side mirror of the Ford van upon entering the roadway causing unknown injuries.
“It does not appear distracted driving or speed was a causative factor in the crash and no charges have been placed at this time,” stated Pulaski County Sheriff Mike Worrell. “The crash is still being investigated by Corporal Crane with the assistance of the Crash Reconstruction Team.”
“We would like to thank REMSI Ambulance Personnel, Pulaski County Emergency Services as well as the Dublin Fire Department for their assistance,” continued Worrell.
The practice of students walking across Cougar Trail Road from Mt. View Drive to the high school has been a safety concern of Pulaski County school administrators for some time.
“We looked during the spring of 2017 at the possibility of having a cross-walk installed from the Mountain View subdivision, but were told that there was not enough visibility coming out of the curve on Cougar Trail for one to be approved,” stated School Superintendent Dr. Kevin Siers.
Siers continued that, in response to Tuesday’s accident, he has asked Jess Shull – Operations Director for the school system – to contact VDOT and request assistance in analyzing the intersection to determine if there are other viable solutions that might be pursued.
By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot