DEVELOPING: Child struck, seriously injured by school bus in Oa...

A 13 year-old girl riding her bike was struck by a school bus Friday afternoon. The accident happened in Oak Ridge on the Oak Ridge Turnpike at Illinois Avenue.

[Sandy]

My prayers go out to everyone involved, the child, the person who struck the child and their families. I pray the child will recover. May God Bless.

[Katherine Carow]

It shouldn't matter that she had headphones on! Pedestrians have the right-of-way, especially on the cross walk! Buses are supposed to stop completely and look before going in a yield section!

[Oak Ridge Native]

How many kids are we going to let get hit by vehickles this year before we DO something about this?? This makes two in the 2007/2008 year!

[John]

Katherine is from Oak Ridge, and attends the same school as the girl injured...

[Oak Ridge Native]

Great, and now I can't even spell - vehickles! My family and I have thought before that crossing guards would be a well-deserved addition to Illinois Ave., especially since they've canceled bus service to children living on the other side, needing to cross.

[Knox Girl]

Katherine Carow wrote:

It shouldn't matter that she had headphones on! Pedestrians have the right-of-way, especially on the cross walk! Buses are supposed to stop completely and look before going in a yield section!

She wasn't a pedestrian, she was on a bicycle. That means she is reaponsible for knowing and following the driving laws just as if she were driving a vehicle. Children do NOT have any business riding a bicycle on such a busy street. ESPECIALLY, with headphones on.

[meghan]

She is my friend! Her name is Ashley Payne. She was riding her bike and was apperently hit by a bus..I think. My friend and i drove past the scene right after it happened. Her condition is serious. She wasnt breathing so they had to put the bag thing on her to help her. On Star flew her to UT Medical Center. I dont know anymore right now. Pray for her, please.

[chelsea]

i am very upset because i am her best friend and i didnt go to school today. i feel very terrible about this and i hope she survives. im very upset with the bus driver.

[Victoria]

I am trumatized.
I can tell you how she looked and what exacly happened.
I sa wthe whole thing,
Im freaking out and crying.
If you want more details,
aend me a message on myspace.
www.myspace.com/blondieskittles

this girl was my best friend.
shes in the hospital,
and the doctors are trying to keep her alive.

[CSR]

My heart and prayers go out to this family, driver, and the children who witnessed. Peace be with you ALL!

[Concerned parent]

Knox Girl wrote:

<quoted text>
She wasn't a pedestrian, she was on a bicycle. That means she is reaponsible for knowing and following the driving laws just as if she were driving a vehicle. Children do NOT have any business riding a bicycle on such a busy street. ESPECIALLY, with headphones on.

She is 13yo, I'm sure she doesn't know the driving rules. You don't have to be so RUDE during a time like this.

[Volfan]

My prayers are with her, family & friends.

[OR native]

Knox Girl wrote:

<quoted text>
She wasn't a pedestrian, she was on a bicycle. That means she is reaponsible for knowing and following the driving laws just as if she were driving a vehicle. Children do NOT have any business riding a bicycle on such a busy street. ESPECIALLY, with headphones on.

What are the children to do when you live within a mile from school and bus service is not provided...walk across that same busy street with no supervision and no crossing guard???

[CSR]

Knox Girl wrote:

<quoted text>
She wasn't a pedestrian, she was on a bicycle. That means she is reaponsible for knowing and following the driving laws just as if she were driving a vehicle. Children do NOT have any business riding a bicycle on such a busy street. ESPECIALLY, with headphones on.

Really is it necessary to be so cruel @ this time..

[SSR]

Victoria,

I know that you are very upset. Please tell us more I do not have a myspace account. Our hearts go out to the family and friends.

[Mary Katherine Doka]

I saw that whole thing, I was on a bus that was right behind it.

[SSR]

She is in surgery now. I will post more later. Concerned Friend.

[Mary Katherine Doka]

I also heard that she isin't doing to well in the hospital, after seeing that whole thing, I realized how fast life can go, and my friends were on the bus that hit her. I was crying on my bus, it was the scariest experiance in my life.

[WildBill]

1) My prayers for this girl & her family. 2) If she was riding a bike, then she is suppose to know the rules of the road- FOR HER OWN PROTECTION!! 3.) Last I checked, hearing earphones while operating any kind of vehicle was illegal, because You can't hear what is going on around you, brakes squealing, horns blowing, sirens etc. 4.) When I was growing up, we had to walk backroads for 1 1/4 mile to get to the bus stop. If there are no crossing guards, then the city should at least have cross walks w/signals. It sounds like there's enough blame to go around for everybody, w/o throwing rocks at anyone in particular. 5.) As for losing two kids this year- think on this statistic- this nation loses more people in ONE MONTH, than we have lost in combat in Iraq in the past 4 years!. Everyone needs to work together the keep everyone safe.

[caitlin]

ashley is one of my friends and the last thing i want to happen is her leave me