LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- A 17-year-old girl was struck in front of Valley High School about 6:30 this morning and seriously injured. LMPD says she was struck by a minivan while crossing the street.
The driver of the minivan was not hurt, and is not being charged. Police say she did not have the "walk" sign as she crossed the street. They say the driver was heading south on Dixie Highway in the left lane and had a green light when he hit the girl in the dark. Officers say neither speed nor drugs appear to be a factor.
Officers at the scene were recreating the crash, taking measurements, much of the morning. LMPD's traffic unit opened up the scene at Dixie Highway and Valley Station Road just before 11:30.
Valley H.S. Principal Gary Hurt tells WDRB News, "This is a horrible tragedy. It's unfortunate and our thoughts go out to the student and her family."
Principal Hurt says a student suffered minor injuries after being hit by a car two yeas ago. We're told students often cross there to get to the drug store, restaurants, and neighborhood across the street. "They come back and forth all the time, they'll jaywalk, go across the intersection," said student Cody Sterns.
When asked whether there was a crossing guard at the intersection, Principal Hurt said, "No, no crossing guard, and I'm not sure how the district would allocate. You obviously can't have a crossing guard at every crosswalk throughout JCPS but that needs to be investigated and considered."
He added, "We need to increase our messaging to the students across this district about the importance of being very safe as you cross a highway."
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