Mount Pleasant Parents Demand Safety Changes After Tragic Incident
In Mount Pleasant, S.C., a recent incident involving a young boy has spurred local parents to call for significant changes to traffic safety around schools. This push for enhanced safety measures comes after a harrowing event that left a 12-year-old boy seriously injured while riding his bike to Moultrie Middle School.
A Morning to Remember
Witness Greg Dyer vividly recalls the chilling morning in October when the accident occurred. He was among those who rushed to the scene, where he saw the boy struck by a vehicle near the busy intersection of Belle View Drive and King Street.
“This is a 12-year-old boy laying in the road on his way to school, holding my hand saying he doesn’t wanna die today,” Dyer shared during a recent meeting of the Mount Pleasant Transportation Committee. His account is a pointed reminder of how dangerous the area has become as traffic from Simmons Street and Fairmont Ave spills into residential neighborhoods.
The Heartbreaking Details
Dyer described the harrowing moments when the boy was hit by the car. “He was hitting the hood of the car, telling the woman to stop,” he explained, recalling how the vehicle continued on, dragging the boy nearly 30 feet across the intersection. The sound of his screams echoed in Dyer’s ears as he called emergency services.
Fortunately, despite the severity of the accident, the boy survived and has undergone multiple surgeries at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). According to Tiffany Moye, the president of the parent-teacher organization at Moultrie Middle School, the young cyclist is now recovering in a wheelchair and has aspirations of walking again by Christmas.
Calling for Change
With this recent tragedy fresh in their minds, parents in the area are becoming increasingly vocal about the need for traffic control at the intersection where the incident occurred. They are advocating for the installation of stop signs to convert the intersection into a four-way stop.
Moye stressed that implementing additional stop signs is crucial for the safety of all students and teachers in the area. “While it may or may not be the child’s fault for stopping at a stop sign,” she noted, “these kids come flying out, and it’s never gonna stop. To add a stop sign there coming down King would just help those kids and the cars to not ever have this happen again.”
Concerns About Speeding
Parents have expressed frustration about the alarming speed of vehicles in the area, particularly contractors navigating through King Street. “Every morning I see contractors rolling through King Street, well above the speed limit,” Dyer lamented during public comments, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures.
Next Steps
While parents shared their passionate concerns at the transportation committee meeting, council members stated that they have not made a decision regarding additional stop signs. They emphasized the need to work in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Transportation before any measures can be implemented.
The police report regarding the incident is still pending, and it remains unclear if any charges have been filed relating to the accident. However, the desire for change is palpable, as the safety of children in Mount Pleasant hangs in the balance.
Conclusion
In the wake of this tragic event, the Mount Pleasant community is coming together, raising their voices for the safety of children riding bikes and walking to school. As discussions about traffic control continue, there is hope that changes will be made to prevent future incidents and ensure the well-being of all students.
