Jenny Crain hit by car

It's even sillier for you to try and pass judgment on something you know nothing about.

Seems the accident happened at an odd pentagonal intersection there in Milwaukee. She might not have seen the car coming as it was probably in the shadow of the buildings to the east; the sun was still low at that morning hour.

Why aren't drivers allowing for a larger margin of error? I mean, the road's only 20m wide; how close (or fast) was the Acura going, and how long was she going to be in the crosswalk (5 seconds?)

I've ended up on the windshield of a couple cars, and luckily gotten away with only scrapes and bruises (by luck). My personal feeling is that even if the pedestrian is crossing the street against the signal, the driver still has to yield to them.

Don't even get me started on flawed logic of pedestrian safety bumper systems! Heal fast, Jenny!

jaguar1 wrote:

You know, it's really silly for them to put blame on Jenny for crossing during a "Don't Walk" sign.

For example, I was stopped at a major intersection this morning and proceeded to run across when the "Walk" sign came on. I wasn't even halfway across the road (while running!) when the sign changed to "Don't Walk"! If a car struck me (green or yellow light), would I be to blame for crossing at a "Don't Walk" sign? Geez, I don't know how people even get across roads while just walking!

Are you implying the blame should be on the driver or the police are wrong? What is your evidence besides your dumb example, were you there?

The driver did not leave, was not charged by police, or found to be in the wrong at all. Let's cut him a break please. We do not know the full story. If you want to wish Jenny well, that's one thing. But we can not go running around pointing a finger. Let's keep this positive, and do not try to turn this into a witch hunt.

The Police said the driver had the right of way. That's it, it the driver was not to blame.

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=8/23/2007&id=28225

Police: Runner crossed against signal

Milwaukee police said today that an elite runner training for the 2008 Olympic trials ran against a "Don't Walk" signal when she was struck by a car on the city's east side this week.

Police department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said officers completed their investigation into Tuesday's accident that left Jenny Crain, 39, critically injured and concluded that she ran in front of a vehicle near N. Farwell Ave. and E. Brady St.

There will be no tickets issued as a result of the accident, Schwartz said.

Crain remains in intensive care in critical condition at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, according to hospital officials.

A 22-year-old man was driving an Acura southbound in the left lane of N. Farwell Ave. approaching E. Brady St. when he struck Crain at 7:44 a.m. while she was westbound on Brady. She ran across Farwell in the crosswalk.

She said the Acura attempted to stop but swerved and collided with Crain.

"The vehicle had the right-of-way," Schwartz said.

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Re-Hijacking this thread...

Jenny is one of the most likable people in T&F. Hoping she gets back to 100% soon.

I agree. Jenny is a superstar person and a good runner. I hope is able to recover quickly. The world could use more like her.

Sometimes runners mess up. Not every time a runner, pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car is the driver at fault.

When I was 8, I had this conversation with my mom and it has stayed with me all these years:

Me: "Mom, you can go ahead and turn, that car has its blinker on."

Mom: "Blinkers don't turn cars."

This is a sad, sad, sad accident, but it looks like Jenny wasn't paying close enough attention. Hey, we all do it. Most of us have had close calls. Let it be a reminder to always be on the defensive while running, even if it means missing a course pb by a few seconds.

I don't know Jenny, but I do pray for her speedy recovery. One thing about being a runner is that it makes us stronger and that will be a huge plus in her pulling through this.

This is why they have a concept like "right of way". Most of the time people figure it out. I jaywalk when there are no cars, and when running I don't stop at red lights unless there are cars coming. I go when I don't have the right of way, and I know that's what I'm doing. I don't do it blindly, I look, and then I take a calculated risk.

I know some joggers who always stop at red lights, even when there are no cars, and who always run on sidewalks and only cross streets at crosswalks. But I know zero fast runners who behave like that. And I don't believe for a second that Jenny abides by every traffic rule when she runs. Nothing unlikely about this being her fault, but that doesn't make her a bad person deserving of injury. On the other hand, the harsh comments for the driver are completely uncalled for. I suppose anger is one way to deal with the sadness of the news, but remember to calm down and get reasonable later on.

Let's just hope she gets well.

Latest update from the hospital CarePage:

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM JENNY CRAIN’S FAMILY

“Positive & Hopeful”

Today Jenny’s family met with the multidisciplinary medical team caring for her. She has not gotten worse and seems to be minimally improving. Doctors are putting in a tracheotomy and feeding tube today. This is a very good development because it will provide her more comfort and the nutrients needed to promote healing.

Her condition remains critical, with continued focus on treating her brain, vertebrae, carotid artery, and jaw injuries. The care team cannot get a full assessment of the brain injury until the swelling in the brain subsides, which as been decreasing in very small increments. The family had many questions about the brain injury, with the doctors unable to give an accurate assessment until the swelling decreases. While Jenny has broken vertebrae the doctors did report that it does not appear that she has spinal cord damage. While this is hopeful news, it is not conclusive.

Jenny is not in a coma. She is under heavy sedation and receiving pain medications to keep her comfortable. Jenny does not have any broken bones in her legs, arms and torso. The focus is on her head and neck injuries.

The doctors were positive and hopeful at this early stage of Jenny’s long road to recovery. Because of her excellent physical condition Jenny is at an advantage in her fight to recover.

Jenny is such a positive and hopeful person. The news today reflects her spirit.

Please keep praying and sending your positive energy to Jenny.

We will post additional information as it becomes available.

Today Jenny’s family met with the multidisciplinary medical team caring for her. She has not gotten worse and seems to be minimally improving. Doctors are putting in a tracheotomy and feeding tube today. This is a very good development because it will provide her more comfort and the nutrients needed to promote healing.

Update...

Her condition remains critical, with continued focus on treating her brain, vertebrae, carotid artery, and jaw injuries. The care team cannot get a full assessment of the brain injury until the swelling in the brain subsides, which as been decreasing in very small increments. The family had many questions about the brain injury, with the doctors unable to give an accurate assessment until the swelling decreases. While Jenny has broken vertebrae the doctors did report that it does not appear that she has spinal cord damage. While this is hopeful news, it is not conclusive.

Jenny is not in a coma. She is under heavy sedation and receiving pain medications to keep her comfortable. Jenny does not have any broken bones in her legs, arms and torso. The focus is on her head and neck injuries.

The doctors were positive and hopeful at this early stage of Jenny’s long road to recovery. Because of her excellent physical condition Jenny is at an advantage in her fight to recover.

Jenny is such a positive and hopeful person. The news today reflects her spirit.

Please keep praying and sending your positive energy to Jenny.

We will post additional information as it becomes available.

stay strong Jenny.

not the same thing, but having this guy progress from being pronounced dead to talking to him the other day, I hope ( I know) she will progress just as well because as a runner her body is healthy and able to handle this

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=1971810&thread=1969427

Any update on her condition?

news? wrote:

Any update on her condition?

this was posted by her family on a local website:

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"August 23, 2007 at 08:15 PM CDT THIS MESSAGE IS FROM JENNY CRAINS FAMILY Positive & Hopeful Today Jennys family met with the multidisciplinary medical team caring for her. She has not gotten worse and seems to be minimally improving. Doctors are putting in a tracheotomy and feeding tube today. This is a very good development because it will provide her more comfort and the nutrients needed to promote healing. Her condition remains critical, with continued focus on treating her brain, vertebrae, carotid artery, and jaw injuries. The care team cannot get a full assessment of the brain injury until the swelling in the brain subsides, which as been decreasing in very small increments. The family had many questions about the brain injury, with the doctors unable to give an accurate assessment until the swelling decreases. While Jenny has broken vertebrae the doctors did report that it does not appear that she has spinal cord damage. While this is hopeful news, it is not conclusive. Jenny is not in a coma. She is under heavy sedation and receiving pain medications to keep her comfortable. Jenny does not have any broken bones in her legs, arms and torso. The focus is on her head and neck injuries. The doctors were positive and hopeful at this early stage of Jennys long road to recovery. Because of her excellent physical condition Jenny is at an advantage in her fight to recover. Jenny is such a positive and hopeful person. The news today reflects her spirit. Please keep praying and sending your positive energy to Jenny. We will post additional information as it becomes available."

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the paper is reporting she has a broken neck and a broken jaw, among other things.

just saw this was already posted. that was the most recent word. sorry for the repost.

Although there may be other facts that i haven't seen, the fact of the matter is that she doesn't seem to be in too much of a condition to tell her side of the story. The police are pretty much limited to the driver's story...if he said he had the right of way, there's not going to be anyone to refute it. case closed. no tickets issued.

i'm not saying that the driver is lying, nor am i saying that she was doing everything she could have been doing to keep herself safe, but this is one accident that will probably never have a resolution.

THE MESSAGE IS FROM JENNY’S FAMILY

Since the last update there has been some good news and a little mixed news. The good news is that it appears that the brain swelling seems to be decreasing and that her pupils are on the way to returning to normal. The mixed news is that the pressure on her brain was slightly elevated, which the doctors are addressing with various techniques. Overall the brain healing is moving in the right direction.

Aside from the specifics noted above, her condition remains very similar to the previous updates.

Overnight some of the bandages on Jenny’s head were removed revealing that a good portion of her hair has been shaved. Imagine what Jenny would think of her hair?

As we all know Jenny’s recovery will be very much like a marathon, with some miles better than others. Up hills and down hills. The wind at times in her face and at other points at her back. Most importantly with her fans and supporters by her side cheering her on throughout. We all know that team Jenny will “make it happen.”

[quote]JALeConey24 wrote:

Although there may be other facts that i haven't seen, the fact of the matter is that she doesn't seem to be in too much of a condition to tell her side of the story.

There actually was a witness who saw the accident. Part of the "story" is based on what this person had told the police.

At this point it really doesn't matter though - the main thing is Jenny's recovery.

I was near there this week... for the record, the local press said she was crossing against the light. Terrible accident... but not the drivers fault.