Washington Road safety in question after two freshmen struck

Student fears about pedestrian safety on Washington Road were brought to the forefront Wednesday night after two freshmen females were hit by a car on their way home from swim team practice.

Jessica Case '06 and Mary "Aly" Spencer '06 were crossing Washington Road at the crosswalk in front of Fine Hall when a Saturn sedan traveling south struck them in the middle of the road.

Princeton Township Police Capt. Peter Savalli said it was the driver's obligation to stop for pedestrians. The case is under investigation by Township Police and charges are pending, police said.

The driver, Christopher Milburn, 21, of Upper Darby, Pa., declined to comment.

As part of an effort to improve pedestrian safety, the University has proposed the construction of a pedestrian bridge that would allow students to walk over Washington Road near the new genomics building.

"We don't like having a major highway going through campus," said Pamela Hersh, director of community and state affairs. "We are hoping [a bridge] would improve all of the walking accessibility."

Because the road is county-owned, the University must seek approval for the plan from government authorities. The county and state have not yet authorized the University to take action on the proposal.

Other University recommendations include a lower speed limit and the addition of rumble strips, which cause cars to vibrate when they drive over them.

Improving lighting near the crosswalks could also be considered, Hersh said.

Many students are concerned about several accidents that have occurred on the campus stretch of Washington Road this year.

There is an average of five pedestrian-related incidents every year on Washington Road, said Capt. Anthony Federico, public relations officer for Borough Police.

In February, a student was grazed by a car that jumped the curb, and an 81-year-old University employee crashed into a wall near Guyot Hall after suffering a heart attack.

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Three years ago, the county installed two traffic lights at the Ivy Lane and McCosh Walk intersections.

Wednesday's accident will bring pedestrian safety to the forefront again, said Lauren Robinson-Brown '85, University director of communications.

"The talks are ongoing," she said. "Any accident or any safety incident that happens will of course raise the issue."

Both students sustained injuries as a result of being struck. Spencer, whose leg was moderately wounded, was treated at Princeton Medical Center and released Wednesday night. Case remains at the Capital Health System Fuld Campus in Trenton after suffering a broken femur.

Meanwhile, the women's swim team has been dealing with the loss of two promising freshmen. Spencer qualified for both the Junior Nationals and the U.S. Open during high school, according to the swim team website.

"We're a very close team so it definitely affected everybody," team captain Becky Wein '03 said. However, "I don't think it will hurt our prospects. If anything, it has brought us closer together." (With reporting by Princetonian Staff Writer Daniel Lipsky-Karasz)