In the second reported pedestrian accident at the University in the last month, a bicycle rider crashed into a car pulling into the Central Grounds Parking Garage last Friday afternoon, one week after a pedestrian was hit by a UTS bus while crossing Jefferson Park Avenue.
According to Charlottesville Police Sgt. Stephen Upman, first-year Graduate Medical student Leah Acosta was riding in the bicycle lane along Emmet Street North around 2:24 p.m. Oct. 31 when she struck out-of-town driver James McIntyre, who had pulled in front of her while making left turn out of the oncoming lane.
Acosta said she was on her way to buy a pumpkin carving kit for Halloween when McIntyre's four-door Toyota sedan pulled in front of her at the entrance to Thomson Road leading to the parking garage, stopping in an apparent attempt to avoid her path.
"I don't really remember the accident actually happening," she said. "All of a sudden I saw a car pulling in front of me. I just kept thinking, 'I can't believe this is happening to me.'"
Unable to brake in time, Acosta said she flew over the car, landing on the opposite side of the vehicle from her bicycle, which was totaled in the wreck.
"I basically hit the ground headfirst," she said. "Thank god I was wearing my helmet."
Soon after the accident, an ambulance arrived and Acosta was taken to the University Medical Center where she said she was treated for severe cuts and lacerations on her arm, face and lip. Doctors said her wounds would take several weeks to heal, Acosta added.
Police charged the driver of the car, who Acosta said she believed was visiting for Parent's Weekend, with failure to yield the right of way. In Virginia, bicycle traffic is granted the same right of way as automobiles.
Earlier this month, on Oct. 24, a UTS Green route bus hit Margaret Potts, an animal caretaker at the University Health System's Center for Comparative Medicine, while she was crossing JPA. She remains hospitalized at the University and is listed in fair condition, according to Health System Spokesperson Lisa Gilliam.
Coincidentally, these incidents come at a time when the University is emphasizing the importance of pedestrian safety. Last week, construction crews lifted into place a new footbridge over Emmet Street near the Lambeth residence area and the future site of John Paul Jones arena, as part of a broader 'Grounds Walk' project.
"The goal of the 'Grounds Walk' is that eventually in the next 20 years the University will become a more walkable campus," said fourth-year College student Roy Francisco, Student Council parking and transportation chair.
One part of the plan will involve closing McCormick Road to outside traffic 24 hours a day.
Other measures will be taken to accommodate new construction projects around Grounds. Last semester, the University relocated the JPA crosswalk behind New Cabell Hall after English Prof. Cynthia Wall was struck by a car there Sept. 11, 2002. Francisco said when the South Lawn Project breaks ground in two years, a new footbridge over JPA will replace the current crosswalk.
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