A Saint Louis University student was struck by a speeding vehicle last night in a hit-and-run at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Laclede Avenue.
Colin Thierry, a fellow student, said he had almost finished crossing Grand Boulevard when he heard the sound of a vehicle accelerating behind him. He turned to see a white SUV driving off the road. The car, which Thierry estimates was going 60 to 80 mph, hit the student near the crosswalk. Thierry said the car immediately drove away. He said the car “didn’t hit her full-on” but made significant contact. He could not tell whether the driver saw the student.
Thierry’s first response was a rush of adrenaline. “It was really scary,” he said, to think that he was so close to being hit. There were six or seven other bystanders at the scene, many of whom rushed to help the injured student. Thierry describes the small crowd as panicked and concerned about the student’s condition.
Thierry observed that the victim was semi-conscious and had an injured leg. When she tried to stand, bystanders urged her not to move. A bystander called an ambulance, which arrived shortly. Officers from the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department also arrived within a few minutes, and officers from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) came soon after. Thierry gave a statement to DPS officers.
24 hours later, Thierry describes the incident as “jarring,” and says it is hard to explain his feelings about it. Thierry says he called his mother soon after the incident for emotional support and to assure her he was okay.
Thierry says the incident has somewhat impacted how he views his own safety. He explains “it has made me a lot more cautious crossing the street, and on Grand. I always check, even if the lights are red, whether any cars are still going” because “you never really know.”
Thierry heard afterward that the car was stolen, which he suspects may explain why the driver was going so fast. Police have still not identified the driver, though they have released a description of the vehicle and the victim’s name. Police say the victim was seriously injured, but is expected to survive.
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