Three teenage girls, aged 15, 16, and 17, were struck by a vehicle while using a marked crosswalk in Miramar, Florida, on Tuesday morning. Despite sustaining serious injuries, they were transported to a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, as stated by local police to Telemundo 51.
The accident occurred shortly before 6:15 a.m. at the intersection of Miramar Parkway and South Douglas Road. The teenagers, students at Miramar High School on their way to class, were hit by a northbound Dodge Challenger.
Authorities indicated that at least one of the girls suffered more severe injuries than the others, but none are in life-threatening condition.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, contacted the police, and has been cooperating with investigators from the outset.
Determining the Right of Way
The focus of the investigation is to determine who had the right of way, as the accounts from the driver and the victims differ. "They were crossing east on Douglas Rd, and a vehicle was traveling north. When they reached the intersection, somehow they collided. The driver claims to have had a green light. The girls say they had the signal to cross," explained Delrish Moss, Chief of Miramar Police.
Authorities plan to review surveillance footage and traffic signals to clarify the events. "We need to look at the area’s cameras, review the signals. We are also taking measurements to determine if speed was a factor. It doesn't appear to have been, but we must verify everything," added Moss.
A History of Accidents
During the investigation, eastbound lanes on Miramar Parkway and southbound lanes on South Douglas Road remained closed to traffic. This intersection is no stranger to such incidents. From 1996 to 1999, it was ranked as the second most accident-prone intersection in the city, with 36 crashes accounting for 17% of the municipal police report.
Students who frequently walk through the area expressed familiarity with the risks involved. Mateo Cruz, one such student, recounted a near-miss experience: "An older woman, I don't know what she was doing, didn't stop as required and almost hit me."
Ongoing Concerns in South Florida
Unfortunately, South Florida has seen numerous pedestrian accidents involving minors in Broward County during 2023. In July, a mother tragically backed her vehicle over her 19-month-old son, resulting in the child's death at a hospital in West Park. In April, another driver was arrested after hitting an 11-year-old boy on his way to school in Miami Gardens.
As of the time of publication, no charges had been filed against the Dodge Challenger's driver, and the investigation remains active.
Miramar Crosswalk Accident: Key Questions
What happened to the teenagers in Miramar?
Three teenage girls were struck by a vehicle while using a marked crosswalk in Miramar, Florida, and were hospitalized with serious injuries but are in stable condition.
Who is responsible for the accident?
The investigation is ongoing to determine who had the right of way, as the accounts from the driver and the victims differ. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and traffic signals.