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By HEATHER RAWLYK, Staff Writer
A 15-year-old South River High student was struck by a van and dragged more than 50 feet while crossing Route 214 in front of the school last night.
The teen, who classmates identified as a junior at the school, was in the crosswalk around 9 p.m. when the van driving west on Route 214 hit him, according to county police Sgt. Tim Altomare.
A nurse driving by stopped to render aid until paramedics arrived, Sgt. Altomare said.
Paramedics took the teen to Edgewater Elementary School on Mayo Road, where he was flown to the trauma center at Prince George's Hospital Center with life-threatening head and internal injuries.
The teen had attended an annual improvisation show held at South River High last night, according to freshman Kaite Prochazka.
She said the teen left the show with some friends to walk to a nearby Subway restaurant. He was walking back to the school in the marked crosswalk when he was struck, police said.
Witnesses said there may have been some indecision on the boy's part as to whether he was clear to cross, Sgt. Altomare said. Drizzling rain and slight fog may have played a part in the driver's visibility, Sgt. Altomare said.
Police are investigating.
Students huddled at the intersection after the accident, gasping at the sight of two Nike tennis shoes and car parts strewn in the roadway. The maroon van that hit him sat with its flashers blinking at the scene.
To the right of the police tape stood a reminder of another tragedy that took place at the intersection - a white cross in remembrance of a 51-year-old crossing guard who was killed about six years ago.
Nancy Hardesty, of Lockhaven Road in Edgewater, was struck by a vehicle the morning of December 22, 1997 as she stood on a curb at Route 214 and Mayo Road.
The fatality prompted the State Highway Administration to immediately reduce speed limits and add flashing lights at the Route 214 intersection.
The speed limit was reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph during school crossing times in the morning and afternoon along the roadway. Advanced flashing lights also were installed before the school zone to warn drivers of school crossings.
The state also installed an additional overhead street light on the northwest corner of the intersection to improve illumination of the school crosswalk across the right turn lane from Mayo Road.
- No Jumps-
Published March 24, 2007, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2007 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.