Letter to the Editor: Mom of Teen Hit By Car Urges Drivers to Slow Down

Dear Editor:

Last night, while running as a group with the Cross Country Team, my incoming freshman son was hit by a car in the leg, thankfully light enough to only scare him and knock him on the grass, causing no mark on him whatsoever.  

This time.  

He was able to finish his run, and I still have my precious son. But next time, we might not be so lucky. Or maybe some other parent's life will forever change with worse than the news I received last night.

Listen, Troy drivers – I refuse to lose my son to a thoughtless driver who refuses to let a group of teenagers running stay as a group, is trying to beat a light, is late for a meeting or is intoxicated. Get it?! So slow down and pay attention. Pedestrian vs. automobile do not have a chance. Why risk it?

If our son was a more experienced runner, he might not have assumed that all drivers watch where they are going and can see pedestrians. Last night's episode hopefully has given him that experience to assume all drivers are drunk, thoughtless, texting and/or rude.  

Please be careful – extra careful – when you see a group of runners or bikers. Assume they all want to be together and do not drive in between their group. They just may be too young to understand the technical rules of the road.

Think and pay attention while driving! Let this be our collective wake up call.

Jen Hilzinger
Troy resident

Troy Patch accepts letters to the editor. Send yours to jen.anesi@patch.com; please include your full name and hometown. Letters may be edited for clarity.