The University of Rhode Island community was left shaken after a staff member was struck by a car driven by a student on the campus. The incident has raised concerns about pedestrian safety and the need for increased awareness among both drivers and pedestrians to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Raising Awareness for Safer Campus Commutes

Shocking Incident Highlights Risks for Pedestrians

The accident occurred on Lower College Road at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving the URI staff member with serious injuries. Melanie Privitera, a junior at the university, expressed her shock at the incident, stating, "It made me realize that a lot of people don't pay attention to the road. And I've seen it before, but now I've seen the consequences, and it's a little scary."The return to standard time has resulted in earlier nightfall, which some students believe has contributed to the increased risk for pedestrians on campus. Privitera emphasized the importance of being extra cautious, saying, "It's a little dark, but you have to be very careful and look both ways. A lot of students, they just cross, which is not safe, so you have to be careful."

Alarming Trend of Campus Accidents

According to URI's Crime and Safety Report, there have been 30 car accidents on campus since the beginning of October. Mykal Yeskwicz, a sophomore at the university, recalled witnessing the aftermath of the recent incident, saying, "I was literally driving out yesterday at 5 and I saw the cop cars come speeding past and even on 95 I saw fire rescue coming."The frequency of these accidents has raised concerns among the student body, with many calling for increased awareness and safety measures to protect pedestrians on campus. Luca Viviano, a freshman, emphasized the need for both drivers and pedestrians to be more attentive, stating, "Just pay attention. It's a serious thing. You can really injure someone, and what you need to do is just have two hands on the wheel."

University Response and Support

The university has acknowledged the incident and is working with the student involved, who has been cooperating with the police investigation. A university spokesperson told NBC 10 News that the student is receiving support from the university's Student Support Services.While the name of the URI staff member has not been released, the university community is rallying together to address the issue of pedestrian safety on campus. Students and faculty alike are calling for a renewed focus on education, enforcement, and infrastructure improvements to ensure the safety of all who traverse the university's grounds.As the investigation into the accident continues, the URI community remains vigilant, determined to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to create a safer environment for everyone on campus.