March 29, 2024

Student hit in front of Jennifer Leavitt Student Center

A broken windshield, a medical bill and a police report are the remnants of the first pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the crosswalk in front of the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center (JLSC) in 30 years, according to Price City Police Chief Aleck Shilaos.
At 5:52 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, while crossing the street from the JLSC after dinner, towards Burtenshaw dormitory, Santana Tunney, 18, of New Mexico, was struck by a northbound Toyota Camry.

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This archived article was written by: Seth Richards

A broken windshield, a medical bill and a police report are the remnants of the first pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the crosswalk in front of the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center (JLSC) in 30 years, according to Price City Police Chief Aleck Shilaos.
At 5:52 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, while crossing the street from the JLSC after dinner, towards Burtenshaw dormitory, Santana Tunney, 18, of New Mexico, was struck by a northbound Toyota Camry.
Joseph Mason, 81, of Price, did not see Tunney, who was clad entirely in dark clothing, until it was too late. Tunney, who had been ignored by three drivers already, believed that Mason had seen him and would stop.
According to the police report written by Sergeant Tracy Allred, who arrived at 5:53 p.m., Tunney rolled across the hood and broke the Toyota’s windshield. At Castleview Hospital, he was treated for road rash, a concussion and minor fractures on his ribs.
Tunney spent the holidays at his home in Kirtland, New Mexico and returned in seemingly good health. As of Jan. 12, he was still being treated for the concussion.
To prevent such occurrences, a safety committee of student association leaders has been working with city council representative Rick Davis to have a pedestrian crossing sign with button-triggered-blinkers installed, much like those at the University of Utah. These signs will likely be installed by next autumn, with crossing flags being used in the interim time.