Fri Sep 20 12:16:31 UTC 2024: ## Lakota West Student Hit by Car While Walking to School, Sparking Calls for Safer School Zones
**West Chester, OH** – A Lakota West High School student was struck by a car while crossing West Chester Road on Friday morning, prompting renewed calls for safer school zones. The incident occurred at approximately 6:48 a.m. near the high school, where the student was walking to school.
The student, whose identity has not been released, is believed to have been crossing an intersection when she was hit. She was conscious and transported to the hospital. The driver remained at the scene.
This incident echoes a tragic event that occurred in 2018 when Lakota West student Maddy Beare was struck in the same crosswalk, suffering severe injuries. Maddy’s mother, Trisha Parnell, has been advocating for increased safety measures in school zones ever since.
“How much would it cost to have a resource officer for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes after school to man these busy roads and keep students protected?” Parnell questioned.
Parnell has been pushing for change, highlighting the need for more than just “isolated incidents” and urging for stronger action to protect students.
In May 2024, another tragic incident occurred when 15-year-old Aspen Dylan Runnels was killed in a crosswalk outside Lakota East High School. Following Aspen’s death, the community has come together to demand change, with Parnell leading the charge to create “Aspen’s Law.”
The proposed law aims to implement stricter punishments and fines for violations within school zones.
Parnell has started a petition for Aspen’s Law, which can be accessed here: [Insert petition link].
The recent incident has sparked a renewed sense of urgency for safety measures around Lakota schools, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions to ensure the safety of students walking to and from school.
First Piper 