Volume CXXXIII, Number 12 December 7, 2001 f

Accident raises question of pedestrian safety
KITTY SULLIVAN
ORIENT STAFF

A recent pedestrian-motor vehicle accident involving Bowdoin students has brought attention to the increased need for pedestrian safety and crosswalk conditions. A student attempting to cross Maine Street was struck by a Volvo station wagon at approximately 5:30 p.m., November 29.

A car speeds by the location on Maine Street where a Bowdoin student was struck last week. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

According to Brunswick Police Commander Rick Desjardins, road conditions that evening were poor. At the time of the accident, it was dark, rainy, and there was a high volume of traffic. In addition, Khoa Khuong '04, the student crossing the street, was wearing dark clothing. The driver, Devin Lueddeke '02, did not see the pedestrian until his car made contact with Khuong, who subsequently had to be hospitalized.

Commander Desjardins believed that Khuong was using a crosswalk, but the police accident reconstruction team is still verifying this. "Our team is looking into many things…there is a responsibility on the part of both the pedestrian and the driver," said Desjardins. "We're investigating whether there was adequate time for the driver to stop."

This is not the first time that a Bowdoin pedestrian has been seriously wounded in a car accident. Several years ago, a student was fatally struck by a large car with a snowplow attached. Such accidents have caused Bowdoin Security to emphasize the necessity of safe street conditions for students. Recently, Security conducted a "lighting walk," designed to search for areas of campus that are inadequately lit.

Louann Dustin-Hunter, Assistant Director of Security, coordinated the walk, and noted that "strategically placed and operational lighting is of the utmost importance when considering the safety and well-being of the campus community." At present, all electrical work orders involving campus lighting have been addressed, and Central Maine Power has repaired the streetlights that were out on upper Maine Street, near Belmont and Boody Street, according to Dustin-Hunter.

In light of the pedestrian accident, students have expressed a more cautious attitude toward crossing streets.

"I live in Mayflower Apartments and I have to cross Maine Street every day," said sophomore Kala Hardacker. "Last week's accident will definitely make me be more alert when crossing streets."

For more information about Security's findings on campus lighting, please contact Dustin-Hunter of Security for a full copy of the report.