LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One week after a Valley Traditional High School student was hit by a car, her classmates are trying to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
Gretchen Rennirt was struck by a minivan in front of the school while crossing Dixie Highway early on Aug. 29. Her injuries were so serious that she was placed in a medically induced coma to relieve brain swelling.
She remains hospitalized nearly a week later.
Meanwhile, a petition on Facebook has generated nearly 3,000 members and hundreds of comments from people fighting for a pedway across Dixie Highway, or at the very least, a crossing guard.
Hundreds of students cross the busy highway every day to catch the bus, or to shop at one of the several stores across from the school.
Valley High Schools senior class president Sabin Martinez-Rice is pushing for the change.
"It's about getting a different means of transportation or even a safer means of transportation for students walking to or from school or even after school coming over to the stores," said Martinez-Rice.
"If nothing is done, it's just going to keep happening," said Caitlin Taylor, Gretchen's sister-in-law. It's going to happen to someone else and I would never wish this upon anyone. This is horrifying."
In the meantime, Gretchen is facing her own battle in the hospital. The 17-year-old is recovering from several surgeries for a broken pelvis, leg, and three broken ribs. She's still heavily sedated with severe head trauma, but her family is hopeful she'll make a full recovery.
"She's doing better, she's making progress," Taylor says. "It's very slow, it's a slow and steady progress."
Valley Traditional High School principal Gary Hurt would not talk to us about the petition, but JCPS officials say it would be up to him to make a request to LMPD and the city for a crossing guard.
The driver of the minivan was not charged.
The online petition can be found here: http://www.facebook.com//groups/427030147342654.
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Gretchen Rennirt (source: family photos)
