Woman cited for careless driving after ignoring school bus stop lights, hitting student
A 15-year-old Ann Arbor girl was hospitalized Wednesday morning after a vehicle that disregarded the flashing stop lights on a school bus struck her.
File photo
Ann Arbor police Sgt. Paul Curtis said a 46-year-old Ann Arbor woman driving the vehicle ignored the flashing stop signs after the bus stopped at 6:46 a.m. Wednesday at the corner of Shadowood Drive and Hardyke Court. The high school student was crossing Shadowood to get to the bus when she was hit, Curtis said.
The girl suffered a large bump on her head and was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital for treatment. Curtis said her injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
The incident was another case of pedestrians being struck by vehicles in Washtenaw County. A 59-year-old Ypsilanti Township woman was killed in Pittsfield Township Thursday while crossing Golfside Drive on foot and a 70-year-old Ann Arbor woman was killed Friday while crossing Ann Arbor-Saline Road at Oakbrook Drive.
It’s also the second time an Ann Arbor high school student has been hospitalized after being hit by a car. On Friday, a Huron High School student was injured when she was hit on Huron Parkway near the school.
A pedestrian also was transported to University of Michigan Hospital after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning at Maiden Lane and Island Drive in Ann Arbor, according to Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams. The person was in stable condition while being transported. No further information was immediately available from police.
The 46-year-old Ann Arbor woman who struck the 15-year-old girl Wednesday morning was cited for careless driving, Curtis said. The investigation into the incident is closed.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
steve
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
This has stirred up quite the controversy, but let's consider for a moment that maybe the reporter wrote the story off a tip without verifying the actual reports. Could it be a bad mistake has been made which would explain why: 1) The woman only got a careless driving ticket and 2) the Police consider the case closed. Wake up A2, you've been duped! Again
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
steve - I have duped no one. The information you read came from the police, who verified the tip I received telling me about the incident. The language used in this story is based off of their report.
Another Wife
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:50 a.m.
This isn't really news, it is just a report on a careless driving ticket. Maybe if you commenters made some noise about things that actually mattered you could do some good in the world. Just a suggestion for all you.
Another Wife
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 9:11 a.m.
@Kms - I would like to thank you for illustrating my point clearer than I did. You people are assuming things about this incident that you don't know are true, or have any reason to believe are true from the facts persented, just like you have with me in your comment. Here are just a few of the things people have assumed about this case without any regard to the article: the the woman knew someone"high up," this woman's race, that she was on the phone, that she was in a rush. When is any of that mentioned or even hinted at in the article? Yet you are all out for this person's blood. Is it bad that a child was hit, of course. Are you guys going way too far for a brief report, absolutely! Have a great thanks giving.
kms
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
AnotherWife: are you perhaps the "careless driver' yourself? Who else would write such a contemptible comment
Sally Carson
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
Another Wife - Your comment was the least useful comment in the entire thread. Sorry to hear that you think a child getting hit by a car doesn't matter.
justcurious
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
It's "just" a report where a woman, wantonly disregarded a Large yellow school bus with flashing lights and drove around it hitting a child and sending her to the hospital. Maybe it will make people, including you, think before trying the same thing. Yes, it really is news.
KJMClark
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Welcome to Michigan. We have a specific law about this, MCL 257.682. The penalty for not stopping for a school bus with its stop sign and lights on? A civil infraction ticket (about $100), and at the option of the judge, not more than 100 hours of community service at a school. In Ohio, it's ORC ยง 4511.75. Not more than a $500 fine, plus the judge can suspend your license. In Indiana, it's IC 9-21-8-52. Hitting someone makes it a class I misdemeanor, and a nearly automatic suspension of the license for at least 30 days, but not more than a year. In Illinois, it's 625 ILCS 5/11-1414. Automatic license suspension for three months and a minimum fine of $150 (plus court costs), for the first offense. Careless driving probably was about the worst they could charge her with in Michigan. Yes, our laws are a bit lacking sometimes.
kms
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
I also wonder if perhaps the police knew the driver. Perhaps she is a "pillar of the community" if you will. Her name is not being published...not sure why this is the case. I'm not arguing for it to be, I'm just curious about the light punishment. Surely, when a pedestrian is struck by a moving vehicle when the driver is violating the law, more severe consequences would be called for. I just wonder why they weren't in this case. The victim was a child.
kms
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
I agree with many of the posters that a $300 fine and 3 points is just not sufficient in this case. I wonder if the parents could somehow file a lawsuit. I would be incensed if this were my kid and the driver got off with a slap on the wrist.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
No doubt every attorney in Michigan is probably handing out their card by now. I know I'd be livid. Press every charge there ever was. Make this woman an example.
mady
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
kms, if it were my child I'd be screaming for this person's head on a pike in my back yard, figuratively speaking of course...anybody out there know Jeffrey Fieger's phone number?
rusty shackelford
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
Curious whether 20 year old black man in same situation would have been handed same (lack of) charges.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
The student was 15 years old and a student at Pioneer. The bus driver saw the incident and what totally upsets me is they are closing the incident? The woman gets off with a $300 fine and 3 points? I am totally incense. If they are closing the case then that means the police portion is done. I wonder if any court charges are forth coming? Someone that does this should be held accountable. I drive every day and to hear this? I am frothing. No excuse for this. If anyone gets this persons pic and name? Should be posted. Especially the others who have hit students and the other victims thus far. Wow. So sad to hear this. Glad to hear the girl is going to be ok. Just so scary. Keep us posted.
lefty48197
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
We need to start ticketing some of these school bus drivers and even fire some of them. They don't seem to care if they have 20 cars backed up behind them. Even after a pickup or drop off many. Of the drivers still won't let the other. Drivers pass and they continue to wear their blinders and keep holding up the others forcing people totake risks while trying to free themselves from being trapped behind a bus. Let the traffic pass before pulling the bus back out into traffic!!!!
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:51 p.m.
lefty? I gave you a neg vote due to your post. We take risks every single day and to hear this? Avoid the school bus at all costs. Because a bus driver might give you a $300 ticket and a 3 points to boot. I have written 6. Will you be my 7th?
vintagetimes4me
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
Your wrong. They do care. If they did not care they would not be driving 50 kids to and from school. If they did not care they would not make for sure these same chidren stand back till that bus comes to a compleate stop before they load these children. All they are doing are driving kids to and from school. If you know a school bus takes the same road as you and you dont like it then leave home 4 min. sooner. The world does not revolve around you. The driver of these machines have sometimes as many as 15 kids waiting for them at the next stop. Should we really make ALL of those children wait any more than they all ready have? Have a heart and remember what its like to be a kid. Any way your post has nothing to do with this child being hit. Well, actually it does, it shows the REST OF US where most people are coming from when they DO RUN THOSE BUS LIGHTS. Pretty sad action.
MgoBlueMomma
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
Yet another story about a driver behind the wheel and not paying attention to what they are doing.
Sally Carson
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
Why did the cops go so easy on her? Looks like a Careless Driving ticket that results in an accident is just a $205 ticket. Barely a slap on the wrist. It could have easily been attempted manslaughter. If we don't want a repeat of this incident, the police need to crack down with MUCH tougher penalties.
Sally Carson
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
jns131 - Oh cool, thanks for the updated info!
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
Correction $300 and 3 points. I know, I write them.
Griffin
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
I feel like she's getting off awfully easy for HITTING SOMEONE WITH HER CAR. This is what, incident #5 now of someone getting hit in the last week?? What is going on?! I hope the student recovers quickly.
arborani
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
"The investigation into the incident is closed." Interesting.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
I am thinking police portion. Not the court portion. I hope they slap her silly.
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
I just wanted to jump in here and answer the "Why only careless driving?" questions. The careless driving ticket is basically what's written in the case of an accident. The language of the law states a person is cited with careless driving when driving in a "a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness." While the incident was described to me above, it's possible the officers on scene basically saw this woman just made a mistake and didn't have any specific intent to commit a crime.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
I have been also told that if you can follow safely to the drivers home? Get the plate, make and ID the driver. That will teach them to run our reds.
Linda Peck
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.
Kyle, she drove around a school bus with its lights flashing, and there are laws against that that carry specific fines and community service. She received the citation that she did, but she should have also received the additional citation of not stopping for the school bus lights. This is done everywhere that I know of. No one drives around a school bus when they are loading and unloading. This is how this accident happened. That is the reason for the rule. Children can get hurt and in this case did.
vintagetimes4me
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
as a former school bus driver ------- for 24 years ------- might I say that this 'hit' IS NOT the same, as the others due to THE BUS is a MOVING TRAFFIC LIGHT --- yellow = SLOW DOWN. RED = STOP. Its very easy to learn, and just as easy to do. I know for a fact that MANY DRIVERS HATE to be stopped by those big yellow busses ------ I get that ----- but in 24 years with the Troy Schools driving, I personally saw about 15 kids HIT due to people NOT WANTING to stop. If a COP was there, at the SAME SPOT as the bus --- you can bet that this child would NOT of been hit. As for it's up to the kids --- IT SHOULD BE -- but it's NOT. They feel those buss's are SAFE -------- they do not think they will get HIT by them. Even my older kids did NOT look out. They are 'only kids' ------ they are not thinking, but us as DRIVERS should be. The next time you get cought behind one of those rolling stops signs -- just STOP -- just stop. It wont KILL you... but you MIGHT KILL a child. (the end) :o)
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
vintage? As I always tell people, what part of blinking red and big yellow don;t you get?
RunsWithScissors
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
Your post was hard to read (words in all capital letters and multiple dashes are disruptive) but it is good to reiterate that flashing yellow lights mean caution and flashing red lights mean stop.
mady
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
very well said. I could not agree with you more!!
Napalm.Morning
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
Not my part of town . . do we know if other options were available? Are there sidewalks available in that area wide enough for a vehicle? If she was driving an SUV couldn't she just slam it into 4X4 and blow through a lawn or nature preserve to keep moving toward her vital destination. . . maybe a high-speed 180 turn on two wheels ? The real negligence is for the driver to not explore all avoidance options
LXIX
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.
"A pedestrian also was transported to University of Michigan Hospital after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning at Maiden Lane and Island Drive in Ann Arbor, according to Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams. The person was in stable condition while being transported. No further information was immediately available from police." Why should the A2 police report any more car-pedestrian accidents - it only makes bubbletown's bubble-safe city leadership look bad now.
LXIX
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
It just occurred to me that the school bus driver is empowered to give kids unlimited pedestrian protection much like the city bubble law was intended to do - at least the bus has flashing RED lights and a retractable RED stop sign to alert drivers. ... and yes, the driver should stand in front of the kid's shool with a sign declaring the woman to be an idiot driver. Unless thess teens are the ones being bussed to Lincoln Consolidated in which case the driver should just stand at the corner of Shadowood and Ellsworth with her sign, without a cellphone. I believe that area is a 25 mph residential zone with lots of ranch houses the co-ops.
grimmk
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:55 a.m.
That's IT?! Careless driving?! Are you KIDDING ME! She could have killed the kid and she gets off scott free? Unbelievable. I'm glad the girl wasn't seriously injured, but a bump to the head isn't a joking matter. Seriously, this had got to stop. What is going on around here? What is wrong with people?
Hemenway
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:49 a.m.
All the driver got was a measly ticket? How about jail time?
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
I have the tar. Do you have the feathers?
mady
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
also maybe tar-and-feathers!!!
ArthGuinness
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:27 a.m.
Completely inexcusable by the driver. While of course even kids should look both ways, I think it's well know that they are not as responsible as an adult should be. Plus there's an expectation that people stop for flashing lights on a bus. And you can't exactly see *over* a bus to see if a car is coming. I assign 100% of the blame to the driver, whose name should be published.
A2Dave
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:02 a.m.
Careless driving? Why wasn't she cited for the specific offense, which carries mandatory penalties? And why is her name not published? Public embarrassment is an excellent way to dissuade this kind of mindless criminal behavior.
mady
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
yes!! embarrass the you-know-what out of this woman. name, picture, the whole shebang.
Elouise
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:23 a.m.
...And the investigation is CLOSED? Already??? I'm all for police following buses, along with other emergency vehicles, and citing people who fail to stop or yield like their supposed to... Maybe after a number of tickets are given, and the possibility of lives saved, drivers will realize...
uabchris
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
So much for A2 being pedestrian friendly!!!! SLOW DOWN PEOPLE!!!
Skyjockey43
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:46 a.m.
I've been very vocal about the need for pedestrians to use common sense when crossing the road, but this instance is entirely different. A citation for causing an injury to a kid because they blew through a school bus stop to me is no different than driving drunk. Both show a reckless disregard for life and should be punished with at least some jail time for what I consider to be criminal negligence.
Ann English
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
A very big difference between this story and previous stories about vehicle-pedestrian collisions is that it took place on a street with a much lower speed limit; if it ISN'T much lower than 45 mph, still, you expect people driving in an apartment/townhouse/condominium complex to drive much more slowly than on multi-lane streets that are straight. If it could happen on an apartment-complex street like Shadowood, it can happen on Sandalwood (northeast of town) or Bluestem Lane (off Maple Road).
james
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:51 a.m.
This was definitely the driver's fault. But, Ann Arbor pedestrians have a history of not paying attention. It seems to be the culture of anyone that lives here for more than a few months. I see it when I'm driving through downtown almost every day: people just don't follow the lights or signs and it's dangerous. I feel that this mindset is contributing to the increase in accidents we've seen.
uabchris
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
AND all the drivers speeding and ignoring traffic laws because the know there are few cops on the street...
Unknown
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 11:58 p.m.
I see this ALL THE TIME! Thank goodness this student is going to be ok. Imagine if this was a very small 5 year old who wouldn't have a chance due to their small size.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 6:59 p.m.
Hi school student. This one will have a second chance. I don't know about that driver. She will have to live with that one for a long long time.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
Sorry Ron but the pedestrians need some responsibility too. I don't know about anybody else but I was taught at like 5 yrs old to look both ways before crossing, don't run out from between parked cars and always be alert. Many people seem to have forgotten this. We all need to slow down and be safe, automobile drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. This case however does fall squarely on the driver though
eastA2
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Although I agree with the fact that road safety falls on everyone's shoulders, I also feel that comparing today's situation to time's past is an apples and oranges comparison. First off, there are more cars in more of a rush than ever before. Secondly, drivers ARE more distracted than five + years ago. In our neighborhood, we actually have drivers blowing through school crosswalks while the crossing guard is standing there with stop sign in hand. Yikes! Thirdly, yes children are more sheltered and generally more easily distracted than ever before (case in point - see recent NYT articles on teaching to this highly-wired generation). Bottom line is - I have children, and I tell them every day to watch for cars, and yet they are not predictable. When in the presence of pedestrians who are minors, when in a school crossing zone, etc. please drivers be extra careful!!
uabchris
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:41 a.m.
Many people have also forgotton that neighborhoods ARE NOT interstates. As I speak cars are flying down 7th St. at 50mph...just sayin"
Ron Granger
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
Ann Arbor needs to make enforcement of dangerous driving - ignoring crosswalks, stopping in crosswalks, rolling through stop signs, driving in bike lanes, distracted driving - a priority. You can try and blame the pedestrians, but they aren't the ones responsible for the safe operation of 4000+ lbs heavy machinery.
Ron Granger
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
"Driving a car give you no more responsibility than walking." Are you kidding? You cannot kill someone else by walking. But a moment of inattention, or ignoring the law, and an operator of heavy machinery (a car) can kill multiple people. Do you not see the responsibility and burden that comes with operating that heavy machinery?
eastA2
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:05 a.m.
Please remember that in this particular case (and the one at Huron) involves a child (or pre-teen). I don't think you can expect the same level of logic and reasoning to apply to a pedestrian who is under the age of 18. Clearly the onus is on the driver in this case, and we, as adults, need to be particularly careful in making assumptions about when a child may cross into the street.
Basic Bob
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:29 a.m.
I wouldn't say people are blaming the pedestrians. But they have much more to lose in an accident than a properly belted driver. I sure would hate to see more people getting killed or suffering traumatic brain injury and broken bones simply because they have a right to be there.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
Actually, I never understand how posters here can get into this bike v. pedestrian v. driver thing. Come on. Everyone is responsible for his/her own actions. This means it is the responsibility of everyone to be aware and cautious in regard to the streets. Driving a car give you no more responsibility than walking. The difference is that the walker will pay the big price if hit. This should mean that the pedestrian would, out of survival interest, pay even more attention. What part of each person being responsible makes it better to be careless? I never will understand. Drive carefully and generously. Ride your bike carefully and generously.. Walk carefully and generously. If we all do our part, it will surely help.
xmo
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.
These pedestrian crosswalk laws are really a great idea. Ann Arbor is so much more pedestrian friendly now.
HeimerBoodle
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
This has nothing to do with the crosswalk issue - it has to do with long standing laws around stopping for stopped school buses loading kids.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
The girl was not using a pedestrian crosswalk.
Linda Peck
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
As so many others here, I am wondering why the driver was cited for careless driving only and case is closed. Did they know someone special at the top? I cannot imagine this citation for such a huge error in judgment not to mention breaking of the law regarding school buses as stated above by DJBudSonic.
kms
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
I don't know what kind of penalty "careless driving" has but I think a license suspension would be in order. We all know not to drive around a stopped and flashing school bus!
John Hritz
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
The root cause of the problem is inattention. It is primarily inattention by drivers but other road users contribute. In the last few weeks, its been shown that being in a crosswalk, having a HAWK signal or school bus flashers afford no additional protection from the self-absorbed. I'm sure that the end of daylight saving time and the seasonal early sunset / late sunrise makes pedestrian's less visible and more vulnerable, BUT you have to pay attention when you're behind the wheel. There is a vocal faction on this website that equate unsafe acts by motorists and pedestrians. This is false. They are are in no way comparable. A 45mph collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian is a sure kill. At 35, its 50/50. The occupants of the vehicle will be uninjured and will likely be able to drive the car home. Damage to the vehicle (as we have seen in the photos) is minor. Your insurance claim is not going to equal the hospital / funeral expenses. Pedestrians and bicyclists should have eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a moving vehicle. Drivers please try to make it easy to figure out whether you are yielding or don't be surprised if people hesitate.
Richard Carter
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
But now lots of responders on annarbor.com equate "make eye contact with the driver" with "staring at me defiantly."
WalkingJoe
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
John, how about the pedestrians who cross whenever they feel like it, in the with dark clothing on and in a poorly lit area? I have seen and experienced this more and more lately.
justcurious
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
How can you miss seeing a big yellow bus with lights flashing? That is much more than simple inattention in my opinion.
DJBudSonic
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
Careless diving is all? What about SB1030 which prohibits passing a stopped school bus, and calls for a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and up to 100 hours of community service? Seriously, throw the book at them! This type of accident is 100 percent due to driver negligence and disregard for the law. That is why the law is there, because kids run out from in between buses, that is what kids do. Now, college kids and their frantic jay walking is another story, but still it is the motorists responsibility, as licensed operator of a powerful and dangerous vehicle, to look out for pedestrians.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Tesia? There were reds on. The driver claimed they were not on. Witnesses said they were on. The witnesses wanted to tar and feather her.
AfterDark
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 5:43 a.m.
Unless things have changed recently careless driving is four points while reckless driving is six. There used to be (still is?) another six points for hitting a pedestrian. Twelve points total within a two year time span used to mean loss of the driving license. Ten points would allow retention of the license but mandatory driver improvement sessions along with the various fines (and insurance premium increases).
uabchris
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
This is why people dont care...no enforcement!!!
Tesla
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
Maybe the red lights of the bus weren't on or something. If she blew the red flashing lights and hit a kid she would be in jail. Something "less than what everyone is assuming" happened here.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
More charges could be filed. The absence of them now doesn't mean they can't be added.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
I think that disregard of the law should have a greater penalty than even negligence which implies you weren't paying attention vs knew you should stop and didn't.
justcurious
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
Not to mention that the driver actually HIT her....I wonder what the fine is for "careless " driving. The word careless seems too mild for this somehow.
Linda Peck
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
p.s. after the rant. I do realize that not everyone who was driving was breaking the law when some of the people were killed and injured this week.
Linda Peck
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
I am so thankful she is okay, but a big bump on the head is not a good thing to have. I am shocked at the number of deaths and injuries in the last week in Ann Arbor. It adds up to what I see on the road as people flying through town, disregarding the laws, running the hawk lights, honking repeatedly at me as I paused to let a person go by on a bike in front of me. Had I moved as she expected me to, the man would have been hit by my car. This is Ann Arbor! Town of the kind and friendly! We need police patrol cars on the roads. All of the people breaking the law absolutely know we don't have cops on the roads like we should. Absolutely!
Brad
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
Also the town of the overdramatic.
justcurious
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:47 p.m.
"This is Ann Arbor! Town of the kind and friendly! " ??????
ViSHa
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
Was this bus on it's way to Pioneer? I've heard a Pioneer student was hit today.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
My child came home today and told me 3 students were suspended for drug use, 4 for fighting and a few more for something else. What a day Pioneer had. Can we go back?
DNB
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
@ViSHa - That's why there were no adults present in the lunchroom to break up the fight; they were in the courtyard, breaking up the "moment" between the two students. @PhillyCheeseSteak - I agree, Mr. White knew how to maintain a safe and orderly environment for our students to learn.
ViSHa
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
@DNB Okay, so now I have heard about the courtyard incident (thought that was part of the fight). So two fights and an "incident in the courtyard"? Yes, things are running real smooth at Pioneer. I hope some on the BOE have Pioneer students so they also receive these reports from their children. Someone has really dropped the ball on this principal situation!!
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.
Former principal Michael White always made a "safe and orderly" environment at Pioneer High School his TOP priority (some say only priority).
DNB
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
The fight was a very serious one. Yes, I saw some cell phone video footage last night. A lot of innocent kids could have been seriously injured. There are also video cameras in the lunchroom. Since there are no police officers in our high schools anymore, I'm not sure how these assaults are handled by staff. I guess we could always file a FOIA, with Dr. Green, to get some answers.
ViSHa
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.
@DNB I definitely agree with your opinion. The story I'm hearing concerning the fight incident is that it was broken up by students and not adults? Is this what you heard? I know many cell phone videos were taken---awful, no matter what the cause was.
ViSHa
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:57 a.m.
@DNB: I also heard about the incident in the lunchroom today. Awful. I thought the robocall was concerning the fight rather than this accident. Is the school even aware it happened?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
DNB...You have to ASK them? LOL
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
Thanks for the update, DNB.
DNB
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
Kyle, I just received a robocall from Pioneer. Yes, it was a Pioneer student.
DNB
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Just going on what my 2 Pioneer students told me, Kyle. (If you want to know anything, just ask your teenagers)
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
Police were unable to confirm the student was from Pioneer, but it stands to reason she was a Pioneer student because this occurred in the neighborhood nearest to Bryant Elementary School, which is a part of the Pioneer feeder system.
DNB
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
Yes, this girl was on her way to Pioneer this morning. I'm glad she's okay; kids on the bus saw her get hit. She's a 9th grader. Other Pioneer news today: A big fight in the lunchroom (my son was sitting a couple of tables over) A couple of students were having a very intimate moment in the courtyard today...I would get deleted if I said what happened.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
This woman should face the same punishment a woman in Ohio did after she ran past a school with flashers on. The judge in that case made the woman stand on a busy street corner with a sign that said something like, only an idiot would pass a school with flashers on.
Elouise
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
This woman should ride along ON the bus with one of those stop signs that the crossing guards use and have to get out at every stop with it. Or even dress as a stop sign and do a little jig in tap shoes so drivers see her. JMO.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Frank Oz and a2migrl, I too saw the video and you could tell by her body language she just didn't get it.
a2migrl
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
The woman in Ohio was driving on the sidewalk around the bus so that she didn't have to stop. During her punishment she was taking breaks and sitting in a car, when the judge found out he was mad. He is thinking of making her do it again while he watches.
FrankOZ
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
But in this case, she should not be allowed to text, smoke or listen to music........or slouch against a fence as if she is completely bored with her punishment.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
That's supposed to read school bus both times.
bbb
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
Hitting a student who's crossing the road when a bus has it's stop lights on is inexcusable. You have to be paying absolutely no attention or be completely indifferent to the seriousness of what you're doing. With that being said, I don't really see how this story is really linked to the one earlier this week that's referenced in the article. A pedestrian being hit when they're crossing after dark with no traffic control is something completely different.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
My text message is far more important than your life.... (sarcasm)
ViSHa
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
The only "physics" involved seems to be a person who is driving a vehicle thinking rules don't apply to them HITTING a student. It doesn't take a "psychic" to see that, lol.
Another Wife
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:46 a.m.
When did it mention a text message in the article? Are you a physic that just magically knows that is what happened.
jns131
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
More like what a month we are having. I heard it will get worse what with the holidays coming on. Sad reality.
Elouise
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
...it seems like its car Vs. pedestrian week here in Ann Arbor...
Lola
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 2:41 a.m.
So is my important phone conversation...... (also sarcasm)
justcurious
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
This is one crime that really makes me wonder about people. Putting the lives of children at risk because you are in a hurry is inexcusable. I hope that her name will be published in the future. It was only luck that the girl wasn't seriously injured or killed. I also see vehicles ignore emergency vehicles and keep driving. Unbelievable.
Boo Radley
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
One used to see reckless driving charges issued in situations like this, but the law was changed for reckless (willful and wanton) increasing the penalty so that the charge must first be taken to the prosecutor's office for authorization of the charge of reckless driving. Careless driving charges are still handled with the officer issuing a citation at the scene. So, as in many instances, the unintended consequences of a well meaning legislature will ensure that it will be rare for anyone to be charged with reckless driving.
YpsiLarry
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 4:35 a.m.
You are not curious enough Justcurious, or you would know that you are not required to pull to the curb and stop for emergency vehicles, only to yield. The law requires stopping for law enforcement, but that has more to do with removing the "I did not know the officer was after me" defense than safety. Sometimes stopping at a bad location is worse than continuing and stopping for a emergency vehicle on the opposite side a a five-lane with no congestion makes as much sense as stopping on the opposite side of a divided road or highway..
Laura Jones
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 1:24 a.m.
How in the world is this careless driving. You have to be blind to miss the the giant yellow bus with flashing red lights, in which case you should not be driving. Passing the school bus can be nothing less than willful. She should be charged with something more severe but at least reckless driving or reckless endangerment.
Belisa
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
careless driving = soccer mom on a cell phone ... they'll be the death of us all
justcurious
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
M- she was cited for careless driving.
M
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure since she wasn't charged with a crime the police won't release her name. Maybe FOIA could get it?