Student Hit in Crosswalk

UPDATE (Jan. 10, 2012 @ 1 p.m.): School system, town are in talks for crossing guards at Park West school intersections.

A Mount Pleasant man has been charged with reckless driving after striking a student in a Park West crosswalk on Friday.

The crash happened as school was letting out for the weekend, according to Mount Pleasant police. After the 11-year-old pedestrian was struck, she landed several yards away from the site of impact and was transported to the hospital with injuries, police said.

It happened when a motorist in the right-hand lane had stopped for the student to cross Park West Boulevard near apartments, said Capt. Stan Gragg, police spokesman.

Christopher A. Dudley, 47, was reportedly speeding and moved into the left lane rather than stopping behind the waiting car or at the crosswalk, Gragg said. Dudley’s 2002 Dodge pick-up struck the youngster, he said.

Police have charged Dudley reckless driving because of his high rate of speed and because he didn't stop at the crosswalk, Gragg said. Dudley told police he thought the stopped vehicle was turning into the apartment complex. There was no update on the young girl’s medical condition Monday afternoon.

“Pedestrians in the crosswalk always have the right-of-way,” Gragg said. “You have to be aware of crosswalks and slow down when you come near one.”

The crash sparked outcry from Town Administrator Eric DeMoura.

“I will be discussing remedies with the (Charleston County School System) and Park West, but no remedy is effective if drivers fail to stay focused on the safe operation of a vehicle,” said DeMoura, who lives in Park West near the middle school.