A student was struck by a car while crossing the street at the intersection of Sprigg Lane and Emmet Street on Sunday evening, according to Charlottesville Police and Assistant Dean of Students Daisy Rodriguez.
The student, College first-year Hao Min Wang, suffered a pelvic fracture as a result of the accident and is currently undergoing some physical therapy and ensuring that she can walk, Rodriguez said. Wang was released from the hospital yesterday.
Charlottesville Police Sergeant L. A. Durrette confirmed Wang was in a crosswalk when struck.
According to the police report, the driver was Abigail Duer, 21. Duer was arrested on a citation of failure to recognize the right-of-way of pedestrians, according to the police report.Duer could not be reached for comment.
Sunday's accident follows a similar incident at the intersection last April when a University graduate student was struck on Emmet Street. Following that incident, portions of Emmet Street were repaved and crosswalks were redesigned, said Mark Fletcher, chair of the University's Security and General Safety Committee.
Fletcher also said the number of crosswalks on Emmet Street was reduced in the hope that fewer crosswalks would cause drivers to pay more attention to pedestrians since cars previously had to stop every 30 to 40 feet.
Additional measures have been taken to make crosswalks more noticeable.
"Signage has been placed in the middle of the road to make drivers more aware," Fletcher said. "We had the city paint the crosswalks white and fluorescent green," he added.
Despite the improvements, both drivers and students must continue to exercise caution, police and administrators said.
"I don't know that any particular construction project would prevent what happened the other night," Fletcher said. "The key thing is, you've got to make eye contact between [driver and pedestrian] to recognize that the car in fact is going to stop and the person is in fact going to cross the street. All the flashing lights won't make a bit of difference if that piece doesn't happen."
Durrette also emphasized students' responsibility to make drivers aware of their presence, especially at night.
"They need to be visible and not wear dark clothing," Durrette said.
Third-year College student Sam Leven agreed with Durrette's sentiment.
"At night on Emmet Street, it's ridiculously difficult to see people as they are walking by," Leven said. "That's largely because of the lighting."
The University plans to respond to lighting concerns by the end of the school year, Fletcher said.
"We're going to provide some additional lighting on the west side of Emmet Street," he said.
This lighting will benefit students traveling near Alumni Hall and the International Residence College, he added.
The need for additional lighting and safety improvements in other areas on Grounds will continue to be monitored by the Security and General Safety Committee, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said.
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