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13-Year-Old Hit by Car Remains in Critical ConditionDespite wearing a helmet, 8th grader suffers brain trauma, broken bonesRelated Content
UPDATE - Mary Robicheaux was upgraded to serious condition Thursday. ANCHORAGE - Winterberry Charter School student Mary Robicheaux is in critical condition in a local hospital after a car hit her Tuesday night. In an email from the principal to parents, the 8th grader is said to have brain trauma, multiple broken bones in both legs and a possible spinal injury. Shortly after 8 p.m., while riding her bicycle home from a friends house, a Toyota Camry hit the 13-year-old while she crossed Northern Lights Boulevard near Bragaw. Police say she was wearing her helmet. “There is a pedestrian crosswalk area there that does have flashing lights,” said Anchorage Police spokesperson Anita Shell. “According to witnesses, those lights were flashing and other motorists had stopped, but he failed to stop and went through the intersection, striking the girl,” said Shell. Police say 21-year-old Jordan Tuttle was behind the wheel. Tuttle was traveling west on Northern Lights and staff at Winterberry were told he didn't see Mary because of the blinding evening sun. Winterberry’s principal says she’s had problems at the same crosswalk. "I've been blinded in that same place; I think there are several places in Anchorage where we really need to look at traffic and traffic flow,” said Shanna Mall. On Wednesday, Mary’s classmates made cards and wrote letters, which were delivered to the hospital. Mall says it's an important time to talk to children. “About how to be safe, how to ride your bike safely and look out for cars, be a defensive bike rider, we know that in Alaska that's really crucial,” said Mall. At the intersection of the incident, motorists are required to come to a complete stop when the red light is flashing, but many drivers today just rolled through. “We always encourage bicyclists to make sure the motorist sees them. Make eye contact with the motorist before proceeding forward,” said APD spokesperson Anita Shell. Police have not charged Tuttle, the driver. Investigators are still working to determine how fast Tuttle was going and if he had any drugs or alcohol in his system. |
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Just Sayin' said on Thursday, Aug 30 at 9:38 AM
Okay, #1 - The lights were flashing, #2 There were other vehicles stopped (witnesses), #3 - It doesn't matter if there wasn't alcohol or drugs in the drivers system, he pretty much ran a RED LIGHT - RED MEANS STOP - LOOK BEFORE PROCEEDING - He drove right on through, yes the sun blindes you if you look stright up towards the lights, which is why you look at the side lights which are lower and not in the direction of the sun. YES I believe the driver needs to be charged - RECKLESS DRIVING!!!
100505605Michelle said on Thursday, Aug 30 at 10:16 AM
I do feel for the driver, I have been sun blinded and it is scary. I'm sure he is feeling really bad right now, and he did a good job of getting medical attention for Mary. But it is no excuse if he did break the law and fail to stop at the crosswalk as reported. He should be charged or we are sending the message to motorists that they don't have to stop for walkers and bicyclists. Or reinforcing this message, many drivers here do not stop for people waiting at crosswalks with right of way.
100509215Hey Just Sayin' said on Thursday, Aug 30 at 2:21 PM
Perhaps you should read the entire article again. You obviously missed a few points. First of all it wasn't a red light as you suggest but a flashing light for a crosswalk. There are no side lights on most of these and they are only lit when activated by a pedestrian. So please read and comprehend before you go off...
100529255AlaskanEagle said on Thursday, Aug 30 at 3:24 PM
I feel for both the (young) driver & the (young girl) & her family. This will forever change many peoples lives. My family & I continue to pray for all parties involved. I hope this doesn't become a "Witch Hunt" to make an example out of this young man. Until we know all the facts I don't believe any of us have a right to make any judgements.
100533065Reality said on Thursday, Aug 30 at 9:53 PM
This is a full green-yellow-red traffic light protecting the intersection of Northern Lights with this crosswalk. It flashes red in its red state which means come to a full stop, look for cross traffic, then proceed if safe. Driving through this light is, in fact, just like driving through a red light or a stop sign. Regardless - if this was just a crosswalk with a flashing yellow light, drivers MUST STILL use caution, look for pedestrians or cyclists in the intersection or waiting to cross, and then stop to let them go by.
100556285TedtheBear said on Friday, Aug 31 at 10:05 AM
The driver ran the flashing red light when he should have stop. Sun in the eyes is just an excuse and not a valid one when running a red light. There is only one victim, folks. And its the girl who got hit while she had the right of way. That is the ONLY victim in this case. We should prayed for her recovery. The driver have no excuse and should be charge. We all had sun in our eyes before. Usually that mean we slow down and take caution. Apparently, this driver did not.
100601435Prayers said on Friday, Aug 31 at 12:39 PM
Prayers for her recovery. On another note, Yesterday I was at Lake Otis / Abbott and this guy on a bike didn't even STOP to watch for cars! He just went right on thru like he had the right of way whether a car was coming or not. NOTE TO ALL: Watch out for each other!!!
100614342lkantor99 said on Friday, Aug 31 at 12:57 PM
I feel bad for the girl and her family, but what happens when someone gets blinded and nothing bad happens? The point is that accidents happen even bad ones. that dose not mean he is a bad person and should not be heard. until he says something we are all speaking our minds. how would you feel if it was your family, boy or girl? just remember we were not put on this earth to judge all we can do is to teach our people how to look out for others in every way. and my thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this sad all around.
100615846blinded means slow down fast said on Friday, Aug 31 at 4:44 PM
A reasonable driver will slow down and use extreme caution when blinded. If you wouldn't drive with your eyes closed, you shouldn't drive blind. Forgiveness is exclusively the perogative of the victim and her family. Society's job is not forgiveness. Society's job is to protect itself from those who would do it harm. Through the justice system we must, indeed, judge.
100631615Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 5 at 7:21 PM
I think that the kids should use the bridge rather then crossing the road, Northern lights is so busy and being blinded by the lights could happen to any one of us. My prayers are with everyone involved in this. (And 'Just Sayin'.... you should really take "Hey Just sayins' advise. You sound stupid.
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