FSU Student Killed In On-Campus Pedestrian Accident
College is supposed to be a time of fun, but sadly, a young woman’s college experience ended in tragedy after she was killed in a hit and run accident near the Florida State University campus. The 20-year-old sophomore was killed after she was hit in the crosswalk near the intersection of Lorene and Pensacola streets in Tallahassee. She died at the accident scene.
The fatal accident happened on April 29. A GoFundMe for the student, from Tennessee, has raised more than $81,000 so far.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death. This is a first-degree felony and he is facing up to 30 years in prison.
The tragic accident occurred during finals week and just days before graduation ceremonies. It is the first recorded pedestrian death in the state so far this year.
The college community is in shock over the tragic accident. Students and parents are calling for enhanced safety measures on the campus.
A Change.org petition was created by someone shortly after the crash. The petition is asking for a traffic light to be added to the Pensacola Street crosswalk. This is a busy area near the campus. The petition has gotten more than 21,000 signatures so far.
Students have been on high alert since the crash. They are concerned about the heavy pedestrian traffic in the area. Many students get around on foot, since everything is within walking distance. For example, so many people go to College Town and the only way to get there is by crossing Pensacola Street, which is a high-traffic area.
The petition states that too many accidents have happened due to people driving too fast on the crowded street. The petition hopes to add a stop light to help save lives.
This is not the first time that an FSU student has been killed in a pedestrian crash. In February 2020, a 19-year-old student was killed after she was hit by a car in a West Tennessee Street crosswalk. A week later, a student was seriously injured after they were hit by a car while crossing the intersection of St. Augustine and Gay streets.
The middle of the FSU campus is the safest area for pedestrians, but once they go off campus, people drive recklessly. One student says he often sees people ignoring the blinking lights on the yellow pedestrian crossing signs near campus. He believes there should be designated school zones for college campuses, just like there are for the local elementary, middle and high schools.
Seek Help for Your Auto Accident Case
Students should feel safe while on campus. Drivers need to be alert and looking for pedestrians at all times. They should also drive slowly.
The Dade City & Zephyrhills auto accident attorneys from Madonna Law Group can assist you if you or a loved one has been involved in a serious crash. We have the resources and the years of legal experience to pursue maximum compensation for victims of car accidents. Schedule a consultation to learn more. Fill out the online form or call (800) 557-0411.
Source:
tallahassee.com/story/news/local/fsu-news/2024/05/01/fsu-community-mourns-calls-for-pedestrian-safety-after-student-killed/73513446007/