Nolensville family grateful son is okay after hit at ‘problematic crosswalk’
A 13-year-old was hit by a car while riding his bike home from school on Tuesday.
NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Nolensville family is extra grateful after their son was expected to be ok after being hit by a car while riding his bike home from school on Tuesday.
Drake Morse was riding his bike home from Mill Creek Middle School.
“Yesterday could have been the worst day of my life...” said Dylan Morse, Drake’s father.
Drake entered a crosswalk. When he entered, he noticed another person coming through. Drake swerved and the car hit the front of his bike throwing him on the asphalt.
The incident happened in the crosswalk on Rocky Fork Road near Newsom Lane and Sugar Mill Drive in front of Nolensville Elementary School.
Now, Dylan is questioning what can be done after learning this is the third close call at this crosswalk in a year, according to Nolensville Police.
”We have rolled the dice three times,” Dylan said. “My son was almost the one that came up. The luck is going to run out, so I do think it is an important conversation to be had.”
In 2022, the city of Nolensville began making plans to improve Rocky Ford Road through a five-step process. Some of the plans include a shared-use path to improve pedestrian safety near the school and a traffic signal to improve “systematic performance during peak school hours.”
The city is on step two out of five for the project. Step two is the planning phase and five is construction. The project is slated to be complete in late 2024, according to the city’s website.
”I know that there’s supposed to be a pedestrian-controlled stoplight at the intersection in the long-term plan,” Dylan said. “Can we at least maybe put that stop light into effect earlier than the rest of the improvements in that vicinity?”
Drake’s parents are now reminding their son of additional safety measures he could’ve taken.
”What he should’ve absolutely done is come to a complete stop at the crossing, Dylan said. “He should’ve hit the button to start the flashing lights at the crossing and he could have made absolutely sure that traffic for both lanes was stopped.”
While also urging drivers to be extra careful near schools. Despite the tough lesson for Drake, his parents are grateful this story did not end differently.
“I can replace Drake’s new bike, I cannot replace Drake.”
The person who hit Drake was identified by police and they say the crash is still under investigation.
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