Just a couple blocks from our house is an angular intersection that we cross every time we leave our house whether driving or walking. It’s especially challenging to cross the street there as the traffic comes around a corner that basically makes a 90 degree left turn but at two separate 45 degree corners. This means the traffic can easily make that turn without really slowing down. This also means that to cross the street, one can’t really see what is coming around the corner with enough time to cross safely. We always walk quickly and sometimes run to get across the street there.
We’ve rarely had a close encounter there because we typically are very careful about crossing there. Unfortunately, a woman crossing with her 2 and 4 year old children tried to cross there yesterday and were run over by a police truck. The 2 year old died. The police officer driving the truck was reportedly driving very fast and was apparently talking on a cell phone and smoking a cigarette as well. No telling what is true about that, but it’s believable.
There is a private kindergarten there at that corner and the woman was picking up the older child from school at midday. It’s so sad and frustrating as we’ve noted for 8 years that this is a dangerous intersection. We’re hoping a speed bump will be installed just before this angled curve so that this kind of tragedy might be avoided in the future.
It’s so sad to see the grief of the mother of a young child whose life has ended. The fragility and brevity of life is a theme that Jesus was always emphasizing. May we never forget that and be quick to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it…i.e. everyone.
Knowing Your ABCDs 