Collegiate Times

Once again, you've successfully reworded a Roanoke Times on-line news story. You should at least give them credit, Ashley. Are you in charge of copying their website? Unless you have contacted the VT Police, or the victims of this accident, you should not be reporting it. Merely reading about in the Roanoke Times is not enough to publish it yourself. The CT is ridiculous.

I'm sorry this happened:( I hope the other three are okay now. Christine, you and your family are in my prayers.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Christine's family. ... Oh, and Roanoke Times, get over yourself. I doubt there's much info that they can get that you didn't cover.

I am so sorry to hear what happened. The senseless loss of life is just so hard to accept, and it seems to happen more and more these days. Christine, we will miss you.

What a tragic loss of life. Sounds like the driver was traveling too fast on their approach to the intersection.

yeah that is definitely something I feel a lot of drivers don't pay attention to...when it's dark on main intersections like that, they don't care who's trying to cross. why is the roanoke times being so inappropriate...every article i've seen has all the same information...i'm sure they all get it from each other.

That comment about the Roanoke Times was not posted by the Roanoke times, it was posted by me. I was upset that articles I read in the CT seem to be lifted right out of the Roanoke Times. However, that isn't important right now, and I should not have written the comment. What is important is that we have lost a Hokie, and need to focus on helping each other and working to create a safer campus. My comment was untimely, and not from the RT. I apologize.

I hope they'll do something about this intersection. It's long been fairly dangerous because of the hill--if you're driving south on Duck Pond Dr. as you climb the hill you can't see the intersection well and you have to just drive carefully. Hopefully they'll carve out the hill or make it a 4-way stop now.

Yeah, I'm always concerned about cars turning across in front of me as I come up the hill. It's always bothered me. I just can't believe that this has happened. Maybe a crosswalk that lights up when in use? Or making it a four way stop? The roundabout is just as bad, I like it traffic-wise, but pedestrian traffic does seems really dangerous there.

I am broken hearted to hear of this tragic accident. Christine was a beautiful soul and a loving daughter and sister. She will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I wish there were something I could do to ease their pain and suffering.

I feel my heart has been ripped out. How can this happen. If this intersection is a problem it should have been dealt with by the county and the campus. They know these students are traveling by foot and their safety should be top priority. Knowing this happened during the day and no alcohol was involved, clearly this needs to be addressed immediately. Christine was just a little girl and we will miss her dearly.

We are not familiar with the area where Christine was killed, but she spent several Christmas' with our family. She was a vibriant, young woman with a bright future. Our prayers go out to her family and frined's at this most difficult time. We gather from the other comments, this is an unsafe location. It must be investigated and action must be taken immediately to prevent another family from suffering as Christine's are tonight.

My thoughts and prayers are with Christine's family. May she rest in peace..

Certainly this is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with the friends and family of all of those involved, including the driver. That said, the fact that so many of these comments are already jumping to conclusions about the circumstances of the accident is a bit troubling. Out of curiosity, can anyone tell me if there is a light, stop sign, or crosswalk at that intersection? What about the speed limit? I believe it is 25, but I can't recall. I believe there is a stop sign for those on Washington Street approaching the "T" at Duck Pond Drive, though I don't recall specifically since it's been a while.

Christine was one of a kind. I first met her in highschool when she sat next to me in physics. She was an extremely bright girl and was the one who convinced me to come to VT. Rest in Peace Christine. My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

I have been a friend of Christine's since we were little kids, any information about funeral plans would be greatly appreciated.

It is a bad crossing area, on a hill with little lighting.. Whenever I cross coming from the cage I try to make extra sure there are no cars. In any case, it is an unfortunate accident and my thoughts are with all affected.

Washington Street has a stop sign on both sides (one of which is the entrance to the cage parking lot). Duck Pond has right of way here -- there is a crest in the hill just north of the intersection -- where the crosswalk is situated. However, the driver in this accident was headed northbound and up towards the hill, he would not have had any blind spot to cope with (unlike hypothetically in the southbound direction on Duck Pond). It sounds like he just wasn't paying attention here. A map view can be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/yrohu4 (just turn on "hybrid" at the top to get the street names)

Christine was my best friend... She truely was happy and loved everyone. I cannot count the stories and memories we have made but I do know one thing... I loved her very much. Her funeral is this coming Thursday in Manassas, Va. Times are to be determined.

Christine was a friend of mine and she'll always be in my prayers.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Christine's family. This is such a tragic event. Let's hope VT makes the correct changes for the future.

Everyone keep praying for Dan he is still in the hospital. RIP Christine.

Apparently, Joshua swerved out of the way of someone who ran the stop sign when exiting the cage...

This is a tragedy that comes at a particularly sensitive time on campus. Our hearts go out to the families of all involved. With regard to crosswalks - given the high number of crosswalk accidents on campus it's time for the University to hammer home to all campus users - students, faculty and visitors alike - that despite the implied pedestrian right of way - no one should start to cross until they are 100% certain oncoming traffic sees them or passes. Not to imply those hit in this accident weren't paying attention but anyone who's ever visited campus knows that people do walk directly into the crosswalks without so much as looking up. The false sense of security of the cross walks is exactly that - false. If you don't think you can make it - then stop walking and wait for traffic to pass. And to drivers - slow down!!! This isn't the Beltway - these are our neighborhood streets.

Well, no one should assume that they are 100% safe walking in cross walks, BUT the pedestrian does have the right of way. Maybe they should put an officer at the busy crosswalks and ticket every single person who doesn't stop. I can honestly say I always felt about 50/50 on cars stopping so I would make my way, but be very aware and check for cars. Walking around D.C. and Arlington I don't even try it b/c people don't stop up here like they do down there. Crack down on the drivers, the pedestrians are obeying the laws.

Christine was my cousin and the best one anyone could ask for. it's such a tradgedy that this has happened to such a young intelligent beautiful girl. she had so much going for her. Christine RIP and you'll never be forgotten.

Quoting Taylor "Crack down on the drivers, the pedestrians are obeying the laws". This is so untrue...not sure what campus you walk on, but its not VT. Pedestrians walk out in front of anyone anytime, usually with headphones or cell phone, talking away. RIP Christine, prayers for your friends and family.

I never said she deserved this....I said that the statement "Crack down on the drivers, the pedestrians are obeying the laws" is not true on the VT campus. As before, RIP Christine and prayers for your friends and family.

Christine and my daughter, Page, have been pals since they were little kids. Our family is grateful to God for the happy times we shared together with Christine. We pray for God to give her family strength and faith as we mourn their loss, and rejoice in the blessings she gave us during our time together.

Even if they do walk out "usually with headphones or cell phone, talking away," they are still obeying the law. They're just not using common sense. Virginia state law says they have the right of way so if they're listening to their ipod and walk out in front of a car, and get hit, most likely the driver will be ticketed. Besides, even though students are listening to music or talking on the phone hopefully they are paying some attention as they walk into the crosswalk. And even if they aren't, well sorry you need to pay attention as a driver. It's just like driving on the highway, you can be the best driver out there, but you have to pay attention to those around you speeding, cutting in and out of lanes, on their cell phone etc.

When I lived on campus, I dreaded crossing this intersection. It was so dangerous because people couldn't see you. However, most people are aware of the crosswalk there. Many times I am sure cars saw me, but they did not bother to slow down.

Apparently Christine was dating Daniel, the other victim in serious condition at the hospital. I couldn't imagine having to be the one to tell him that she didn't make it, or the impact that it will have on the rest of his life. My thoughts and prayers are with him, most of all, because of the immense guilt that comes with survival of such a tragic incident, as well as the others who witnessed it. Healing from such trauma is very difficult. I will keep them, as well as her family and friends in my thoughts.

I wish this story would be updated with current information. There were only 2 people hit, both seriously as we know. Also Joshua had to swerve out of the way because someone ran a stop sign when leaving the cage. When swerving out of the way he did not see the people crossing and thus swerved in their direction. This is a terrible accident and my prayers go out to all the families involved.

4 of the 5 people in the group were hit, but 2 had minor injuries that were treated at the same hospital in roanoke... and i'm sure there will be an updated story tonight

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.

The best thing to do would be to put in a roundabout at that intersection (like the one they have at the intersection of West Campus and Washington. Unlike a 4-way stop, drivers have to slow down (unless they want to crash) while negotiating the roundabout. I'd also locate the crosswalks at least 50 feet away from the roundabout which would make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians crossing Duck Pond Dr. or Washington before entering or after exiting the roundabout. As for pedestrians having the right-of-way, they do if they're *in* the crosswalk. Stepping out in front of a vehicle going 25 mph when it's less than 50 feet away doesn't guarantee that one won't be hit. It's best to wait for traffic to pass before crossing, or at least see that they're slowing down before one crosses.

the ten campus plan does have a roundabout going in there as well as the addition of more traffic lights.

sorry, that was supposed to read ten year campus plan. so, that intersection will hopefully be safer in the near future.

To the guy at the beginning of the comments who said this story was pulled from the Roanoke Times: I doubt the CT is rewording the Roanoke Times article. More likely, both are using the same source. Ashley cites two press releases: one from the VT Police and another from University Relations. These statements are probably the sources for much of the article.

Apparently ten years from now will be ten years too late

You always hate to hear about things like this. I did not know the victim, but from the comments I can see here, she was clearly a great person. I think a tragic, unfortunate event like this just epitomizes a campus-wide problem with traffic and crosswalks. As a campus pedestrian, as well as someone who drive a great deal, I can see both sides to this. The issue really depends on where the student lives. Students from more urban areas who are more crosswalk experienced tend to walk out without giving much regard to oncoming traffic because they expect the vehicles to give them the right of way. Students from less populated regions tend to wait until a vehicle stops, and then they cross the road. From the drivers perspective, most students from populated areas tend to be the ones sticking close to the car directly in front of them, and they also tend to be the ones who will "thread the needle" between two people at the crosswalks. It's simply because of the style of driving with which they are familiar. They're trying to get to their destination in the fastest way possible. Rural drivers are significantly less aggressive, and I feel confident that there is no one who can possibly attempt to debate that. In my personal opinion, the pedestrians are the causes of a great deal of accidents (not this specific accident, just a great deal of them). Anyone who drives the VT campus knows that there are a multitude of things one must look out for - cars backing out of parking spaces, pedestrian crosswalks, and the occasional erratic bicycle rider. The bottom line is that regardless of if you have the right of way, the right of way doesn't do you much good when a 2-ton truck breaks your legs. In terms of action taken by Virginia Tech for this specific incident. What can VT do? No one can truly expect the school to teach "look both ways before you cross the road" to college students. I really don't like the idea of having police officers on campus to monitor crowded crosswalks, either. That's a tremendous waste of money because the students need to be intelligent enough to look after themselves, and the last thing this campus needs is MORE "security." Accidents happen, and they cannot be avoided. They can be prevented, but even prevention needs to be conducted in moderation.

I think a tragic, unfortunate event like this just epitomizes a campus-wide problem with traffic and crosswalks. As a campus pedestrian, as well as someone who drives a great deal, I can see both sides to this. The issue really depends on where the student is accustomed to driving. Some students are used to “city driving,” where crosswalk protocol is going to be significantly different from “country driving” oriented people. In my personal opinion, the pedestrians are the causes of a great deal of accidents (not this specific accident, just a great deal of them). Anyone who drives the VT campus knows that there are a multitude of things one must look out for - cars backing out of parking spaces, pedestrian crosswalks, and the occasional erratic bicycle rider. The bottom line is that regardless of if you have the right of way, the right of way doesn't do you much good when a 2-ton truck breaks your legs. On the topic of prevention, no one can truly expect the school to teach "look both ways before you cross the road" to college students. I really don't like the idea of having police officers on campus to monitor crowded crosswalks, either. The students need to be intelligent enough to look after themselves at the crosswalks. Accidents happen, and they cannot be avoided. They can be prevented, but even prevention needs to be conducted in moderation.

This is such a tragedy for everyone involved. I feel terribly for the families and friends who's live are now forever changed. As a High School acquaintance of Josh Sales, I would just like to tell him that my thoughts are with him as well. I know he meant no harm. I hope the general public can see this incident as it is exactly what it is, a tragic accident.

One of my good friends Sarah is Christine's roommate, and she's going through a really rough time because of all of this. She hasn't gone back to the room without someone with her, and she decided to move. Thankfully, she was already able to get into a room with friend in another dorm. She's been pretty shaken up, so please keep her in your prayers, as well as her parents, sister, boyfriend, and close friends. Pray that those surrounding all of those mentioned will know how to comfort them and help them feel loved throughout this horrible tragedy.

This is such a terrible thing and can happen to anyone. Never trust cars on the road when you're on your feet. You never know if they see you or not. All my prayers for the victim's family and friends.

I completely agree with Brittany. If you happen to see a car coming at you, run.

I think that the important thing is that family and friends lost a precious life, and we lost a Hokie. I believe the best advice is for vehicles and pedestrians to be extremely cautious and stay off the cell phone while driving and eliminate other distractons. This is especially true at night when it can be hard to see students crossing.