On November 4, 2020, my 15 year old son was heading west bound on Fairfax Pike - Rt. 277 in a school zone when he was suddenly struck by a minivan. The claim from the driver and sheriff’s office is that my son was at fault for his own injuries due to a vague law called “contributory negligence” as a pedestrian.  This was due to the issue that he crossed where there was not a crosswalk. 

Here is the concern, in front of a school zone (Sherando High School), there are only two crosswalks forming the L shape in the east bound direction. There are no crosswalks in the west bound direction which is where my son was going. Even if he took the L-crosswalks, there are two parts of the intersection that are not pedestrian safe.

It has come to our family’s knowledge that at least two other minors have been struck at this intersection in prior years. My son suffered major injuries to the brain and broke both legs. He simply wanted to play basketball with a friend. Instead of being seen as the victim of this situation, he has been deemed the contributor and the driver has been cleared of any charges.

Our children, teens and young adults walk and ride all over the Stephens City area. It is time to place crosswalks where they belong. No parent should have to beg for the Frederick County Board of Supervisors to perform actions that provides safety for their citizens.