Community Responds to Lewis Road Death

Royersford Resident Pamela Wheeler posted "" on the Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch after the death of jogger Merinda Thompson on Monday afternoon.

Thompson died after a Ford Focus driven by a 17-year-old male struck her as she was jogging on Lewis Road.  The driver refused to make a statement at the crash scene or provide police with his cell phone, and District Attorney Risa Ferman announced Tuesday that a formal investigation into Thompson's death has begun.

Wheeler responded to the community reaction to the death, and the resulting investigation.

"What struck me the most is the lynch mob mentality on both sides which ensued," said Wheeler. "The wounds are raw and the blame game starts.  Sides are drawn and justice is demanded.  It’s just a vicious cycle seen so many times in tragic accidents.

"One thing is certain, there is a beautiful life taken from us.  I didn't know Merinda Thompson, but I'm sure she was an amazing person.  We should grieve and take steps to make sure this does not happen again.  How do we do this and unite the community rather than divide it?"

The blog post has already received a variety of comments from the community, including Kathy Bender.

“I wonder if you all would or could feel the same if it had been YOUR wife, mother, daughter, sister that was mowed down by someone obviously not paying attention to the road?” Bender said.  “I, unfortunately have first hand experience with this as our daughter was hit and killed in April of 2011 on Township Line Rd. near the Y on a clear afternoon while walking home from work. This too happened because someone was not paying attention. People, WAKE UP and pay attention!”

A Spring-Ford Student also weighed in.

“I feel like a lot of the people who are commenting on and following this story don't realize the fact that the accident happened in front of two busloads of Spring-Ford students (one of which I was in) and a few of us (again, myself included) saw a woman being killed yesterday,” Troy said. “Most of us saw a woman lying dead and a strong classmate having a breakdown on the side of the road. That's something we'll never really be able to get over.

For the post, visit the Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch.