DanieB, She need condemnation. Yes, it is sad that she got hit... but I drive through heavy pedestrian traffic streets every day. Pedestrians are IDIOTS; they don't check for moving vehicles, they don't stick to the crosswalk, they don't stop if a vehicle is moving across the crosswalk. (More than once have I been flipped off because a ped looked up to see a car "magically" appear infront of them. Wasn't even on the crosswalk when I started crossing, but they just don't look where they are going.) Pedestrians think that in a contest of car vs them, THEY are going to win. Accident? An accident is hydroplaning. An Accident is hitting a rock with your bike. An ACCIDENT is something that is out of your control. Walking out into moving traffic is gross negligence and blatant stupidity. Something that is getting worse in America. Now, there is nothing too wrong with crossing guards; but she got run over because she IGNORED the crossing guard (light) and tried to get across anyways.

I know the people in this family. They are good, kind people. None of us know why she stepped out into traffic, if she was on a cell, or if she was being a young kid and not paying attention. Like all young teenagers do. They are hoping this doesn't happen to another child, and they are of course praying that their daughter survives. The fact that some of you are able to post judgmental comments, shows us just what state this world is in. Instead of realizing that there is a reason these are called "accidents" and that she needs prayers, not condemnation. A little bit of empathy would be nice, for such a young vibrant life, that may now be dulled due to poor judgement. This family struggles to hold on to hope for life of their daughter. If none of you are parents then I understand. If you are parents, then you know all kids make stupid mistakes. This is one she and her family are paying dearly for. They need supportive comments, not "crass" ones. Oh and by the way, the father is a working man, and he is paying for her hospital bills, not "tax payers money" as implied by sceptic. Please sign the petition as we do not want this to happen to another child.

I suggest you not donate anything to any accounts until you know for sure what the child may need. If I am not mistaken your tax payer money is already paying for this.

Heather Sierra Barnes : Benefit Account # 702963769 ~ Routing # 263079276 | VyStar Credit Union P.O.Box 45085 Jacksonville FL 32232 | 904-777-6000 or 800-445-6289 Gainsville Branch (352) 372-1645 website www.vystarcu.org For those of you that would like to help.... Also Jessica Barnes has started a petition for the designation of a school zone infront of OPHS please contact her to show your support or to sign the petition.

Hope she fully recovers. The sad thing is that lowered speed limits likely won't curtail brash teenagers/pedestrians from crossing at inappropriate spots, imo. It seems possible that MORE people will try and jaywalk due to slower traffic and them thinking it will be easier. There are sidewalks, crosswalks and crossing guards when school is starting/ending --- use them wisely.

God bless this young'un!

or at least issue helmets to all the students when school starts..or have an assembly of new students & warn then cars are dangerous & can hurt them/kill them.. tell them crossing in between instead of the green,, can have life altering consequences ??? if she's this careless at 14 walking,, imagine how much of a menace she'll be at 15/16 driving a vehicle...was she texting??? yappin on a cell???

I dont want sound crass, for lack of better word, but shouldn't teenagers know enough not to run out in front of cars? Cars cannot stop on dime. I agree about speed limits lets put every road to 30 mph or less will save thousands of lives everywhere in the state. Imagine it you want go to Miami from Jax. With 30 miles per hour on the high way we wouldnt have any accident like idots doing 70 through fog and smoke and not putting on flashers. I refuse to walk out into traffic unless the light has them stopped. Somehow I don't think this girl thought she should wait for the traffic light to stop them.