LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- A 17-year-old Valley High School student suffered life-threatening injuries after she was struck while trying to cross Dixie Highway early Wednesday morning.
A nursing supervisor at University Hospital said Gretchen Rennirt was in stable condition, but a relative says she was "beat up extensively" and has been placed in a medically induced coma. In an email to WDRB News, the relative writes that Rennirt suffered broken ribs, a broken pelvis and had swelling in her brain after she was struck by a minivan near Valley High School early Aug. 29.
Police did not charge the driver of the minivan; authorities believe Rennirt may have been jay-walking before she was struck.
Students who spoke to WDRB News said students frequently cross that section of Dixie Highway in the mornings because they often get off the bus and head for nearby convenience stores for snacks and drinks before school. Rennirt had reportedly just left a nearby Walgreens and was crossing the street when she was struck.
Some students say a crossing guard would be in the best interest of the school and the safety of the students.
"They need a crossing guard," said Collin Ray, a student at Valley High School. "That's everyday people are running across the street to Walgreens and Circle K to get their polar pops in the morning."
Valley's principal Gary Hurt said there's no crossing guard there "and I'm not sure how the district would allocate [a guard]. You obviously can't have a crossing guard at every crosswalk throughout JCPS but that needs to be investigated and considered."
Rennirt remained in a medically induced coma early Thursday.
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