TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — On Oct. 7, Dr. Nathan Schaumleffel was hit by a car at 19th and Walnut St. while walking across a crosswalk on his way home from dropping his son Cooper off at school at St. Patrick’s.
“I was hit by a small SUV, I was knocked seven or eight feet in the air or skidded, I was knocked unconscious,” said Nathan.
Nathan was taken to a local hospital and treated for a concussion along with other injuries. Nathan’s wife, Melissa, was notified and says her reaction was that of fear, but not total surprise. “I was surprised he got hit, because he’s always aware of this surroundings, but I wasn’t surprised that someone was hit,” said Melissa.
That’s because someone else was hit, just one block away at 18th and Walnut St. – that’s where a crossing guard finishing her duties was struck by a car in Dec. 2018. She, too, was knocked unconscious.
These incidents, coupled with concern of future collisions in an area where kids are frequently commuting to and from school, leave the Schaumleffels looking for action from city officials.
“Something needs to happen on that street to make people slow down, whether it be flashing lights, temporary speed bumps during the day, a stop sign,” said Melissa.
Nathan also suggests that parking be prohibited on 19th St. during school and business hours Monday through Friday.
Melissa adds that with the days getting shorter as winter approaches, pedestrians are entering an even more dangerous time of year due to low visibility.
The city has taken some action in response to Nathan’s incident and calls from concerned citizens. “We have moved the cars back further than what the code recommends, for added visibility of pedestrians,” said Terre Haute City Engineer Chuck Ennis.
Ennis adds, however, that there’s only so much the city can do in a time when distracted driving seems to continue to pose a huge problem.
“Public safety is kind of everybody’s responsibility, I mean, from the pedestrian to the motorist, I mean we can’t address every possible safety issue,” said Ennis.
Nathan says he’s appreciative of the city’s response so far, but fears what will happen if more isn’t done. “What’s it gonna take before one of these kids are killed? It shouldn’t take us standing out at 19th and Walnut with a cross stuck in between a sidewalk and a road with everybody crying with stuffed animals and flowers and candles before you do something about it,” said Nathan.
Ennis says the city follows a set of code enforcement rules when making decisions on issues such as pedestrian safety – you can find Terre Haute city code here .
