Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Two students struck by car in stable condition

Two+Augustana+students+were+transported+to+a+hospital+after+being+struck+by+a+car+on+7th+Avenue+and+38th+Street+on+Thursday+night.+
Two Augustana students were transported to a hospital after being struck by a car on 7th Avenue and 38th Street on Thursday night.

Two Augustana students were hit by a vehicle crossing 7th avenue on Thursday, Jan. 19, at about 5:30 p.m.
First-year student Ericka Contreras confirmed that she is in stable condition at UnityPoint Health Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island. A staff member at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, confirmed that first-year student Tyler Joy is in “fair condition.”
First-year student Samantha Flipp witnessed the incident as it happened and was one of the first to go on police record as an eyewitness.
“I was just walking out of choir and heard a loud impact noise first. I saw one of the girls go over the hood of the car and slid down the street,” Flipp said. “I quickly crossed the street to see if everyone was okay and there were two girls who were hit. There were a few other people who were with them who called the police when it happened.”
Flipp said that she and a group of people stayed with the students while the police were on their way. One student could not move her leg, Flipp said, and another student required support to walk up from the side of the road where she landed. The paramedics came within 10 minutes and transported both students to the hospital.
According to a student who was with both struck students, who asked not to be identified, they were coming from choir rehearsal. Contreras reportedly rolled when she was hit, while Joy’s impact broke the car’s windshield. Both students were walking on the crosswalk when they were hit. Joy landed on the grass and Contreras landed on the side of the road near the car.
The Rock Island Police Department did not release any information about the vehicle or the driver. The incident is still under investigation.
“The students were admitted to a local hospital, where they are now in stable condition. Representatives at the hospital are waiting for family who will soon arrive,” Augustana senior communications director Sam Schlouch said.
UnityPoint confirmed that Contreras is currently in the emergency room receiving treatment. OFS Saint Francis confirmed that Joy is receiving further medical treatment for her broken leg.
Dean of Students Evelyn Campbell sent an email to students urging them to look after each other. There were counseling services in Westerlin Residence Hall until 9 p.m. available for students who wanted to talk about the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the students who were involved. We wish them a speedy recovery,” Schlouch said.
According to Schlouch, the Rock Island Police Department and the Rock Island Fire Department were on scene, as well as Augustana Public Safety.
For students who need additional support overnight, contact a member of the Residential Life staff or Public Safety.

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    Slda9697Jan 21, 2017 at 10:38 am

    And what of the injured students? What has administration done to support them and their families? Has anyone been to Peoria to check on that young woman? Seems like being struck hard enough to smash a windshield, be projected off the vehicle, and breaking a limb so badly that she has to be transported to Peoria, would at least prompt enough concern and compassion for the student to make sure she wasn’t alone during the scariest moment of her life. Kudos to anyone who stayed by her side for the near quarter hour that it took paramedics to respond. And by all means, let’s be sure to protect the driver of the vehicle. (This comment in no way is meant to criticize the author. Merely to draw attention to the fact that it seems that authorities’ energy & priorities might be misaligned.)

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Two students struck by car in stable condition