Drivers Reminded School Is In Session After 9-Year-Old Hit In Crosswalk
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - A fourth-grader escaped serious injury after getting hit by a truck in front of her school. She's okay but it highlights the importance about taking it slow in school zones.
Even in the car people are multi-tasking -- music, food, cellphones -- we know we need to hang up and drive, but many of us don't. But it's especially important to do because with children back to school drivers need to be even more cautious behind the wheel.
"It was very scary (visibly chokes up)," said Brooklynn Cain's mother, Tiffany Cain.
It's upsetting for any mother, and a shock to the student.
"I kind of almost passed out," Brooklynn said.
Brooklynn was crossing the street to get to Evans International Elementary School in Colorado Springs when a driver, partially blocking the crosswalk, suddenly threw her truck in reverse and struck the 9-year-old.
"It's just a weird feeling, like I got turned and then bumped, because I don't really know what that feels like, so it was shocking," Brooklynn said.
Apparently a mother who saw what was happening grabbed Brooklynn by her backpack and pulled her to safety. Then Stacy Matlock stepped in.
"I stepped in front of her and told her to stop because she had actually hit somebody in the crosswalk," Matlock said.
Tiffany Cain got a call to head back to school and was terrified.
"As a mother I always expect the worst , and that's what I did," she said.
But Brooklynn was okay, just a little sore. She's thankful for the woman who yanked her out of the way.
"I hope something good happens to her because she saved a life today," she said.
Other moms want Brooklynn's case to be a wakeup call.
"When parents aren't paying attention behind the wheel you know someone gets hurt and that's not okay."
Drivers ticketed in a school zone in Colorado Springs have their fines doubled and are automatically forced to go to court.
The driver involved was ticketed for careless driving causing injury.
