An 8-year-old Fort Worth girl was hit by a car in a crosswalk on her way home from school. Tonight, we’re learning more about her condition and the community’s call to make the streets safer for the elementary school students who walk them each day. Here’s NBC 5’s Allie Spillyards.
A student of Park Glen Elementary was hit by a car while walking home on Monday, according to Fort Worth Police.
It happened in a crosswalk at the intersection of Glen Canyon Road and Park Vista Boulevard.
The school sent an email to families letting them know that the 8-year-old girl was struck and taken to a local hospital where they were placed in the ICU with small fractures and a very severe concussion. There will be an additional counselor on campus to support students and staff, according to the email.
Tuesday afternoon, the girl's father told NBC5 that she remained in the ICU and that hospital staff had told the family it was amazing her injuries weren't worse.
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He said his daughter was getting out of an after-school club at 4:30 p.m..
The family lives nearby and has been concerned about the intersection in the past. Several neighbors have, too.
“People are just flying. It can be kids. It can be moms and dads taking their kids to school. It’s all day long," said Sandra Copeland.
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Phil Rasi said he always walks his son home due to safety concerns.
Monday, they had just crossed the street when the 8-year-old was hit.
“I saw the little girl crossing. Right before she got to the second lane, she got hit," he said. “It wasn’t a full impact but it was a pretty good collision.”
He said he checked for a pulse while he and several other parents waited for the ambulance to arrive.
Like others, Rasi said it's time for something to be done.
“I see a lot of people driving by not paying attention to the speed limit or speed signs," said Rasi.
Councilman Charlie Lauersdorf posted on Facebook after the incident to assure residents that he would "not stop until we have a light there," to slow the flow of traffic.
Following Tuesday's council meeting, Lauersdorf said he'd contacted the Director of Transportation and Public Works and the city manager requesting a traffic study and expedited solution.
“They look at any incidents in the past if it’s a high incident actual intersection or just a potentially high threat intersection," said Lauersdorf.
TXDOT records obtained by NBC 5 show there have been three crashes at the intersection since 2019. They show two dozen, including 10 involving speed, along a two-mile stretch of Park Vista Boulevard between Basswood Boulevard and North Tarrant Parkway.
“No one ever gets in their car and says I want to hit a child. No one says that. But if we’re not paying attention, if we’re speeding, it’s always a possibility," he said.
Lauersdorf said he’s also pushing for an increased police presence in school zones and a bigger budget to keep crossing guards on hand for after-school activities.
While crossing guards were on hand late into the afternoon Tuesday, the victim’s family said they’d finished their job just minutes before she was hit the day before.
To prevent future tragedies, Lauersdorf said neighborhoods can file a petition to get traffic calming measures like speed bumps or traffic lights added to problem streets and intersections by contacting their councilman's office.
Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As developments unfold, elements of this story may change.
