After Being Struck by SUV, Ferndale Girls Urge Others to Drive Safely
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 30, 2021)
Ferndale, MI- When Sonni Morais and Ellie Lemelin posed for first day of high school picture on the front steps of Ellie’s house, they had no idea that just minutes later they would be going to the hospital instead of school.
The friends, both 14, were struck by a Jeep Compass – a compact SUV. They were taken to a local hospital and released, suffering mainly bruises and scrapes. And while the girls will recover from their injuries they and their parents are speaking out in hopes of convincing other drivers to be more careful – especially now that school is back in session.
“We had taken first day pictures then the other girl’s mom and I waved good bye as they walked to the corner,” said Ellie’s father Whitney Lemelin. “They waited at the corner for traffic to stop and then proceeded to walk across Leroy towards the High School. They were in the middle of the cross walk when we noticed a silver SUV proceed through the intersection going East on Leroy right at them.
“We both screamed but there was nothing we could do. The SUV slammed into both of them without braking. It initially hit my daughter who was pushed into her friend. Her friend went down and the SUV rolled over her before finally stopping.”
Ferndale Police confirmed that the driver was issued a citation for failure to yield to pedestrian in a personal injury accident.
Cheryl Yapo, Sonni’s mom, was horrified. “This is not the memory I wanted to have today,” she told Oakland County Times. “As a parent it’s heart wrenching to see that and not be able to stop it. When I close my eyes that’s what I see.”
The teens, and the parents we spoke to, feel sympathy for the driver. “I know he is hurting just as bad as we are,” Yapo said.
“I know he didn’t do it on purpose,” Sonni said. “But I do wonder about him. Like what was going on in his life, and why was he distracted.”
Yapo said that the early morning conditions likely played a role, and hopes that drivers will be especially cautious on days like this – with heat and humidity creating fog, and the low angle of the sun making it even harder to see – especially if windows are wet with fog.
Pictures from the crash scene are spreading online, with other students sending well wishes and cautions to drivers to be careful. As the girls spent the better part of the day in the hospital getting x-rays and icing their contusions, they were flooded with well-wished from classmates.
“Everyone at school knows. And people at other schools know,” said Ellie Lemelin. “I hope it reminds people to be careful. Don’t be in a rush. Do what you can to be safe for others and for yourself, because you can get hurt too.”
The experience already has Morais thinking ahead to when she drives, and how she can be a good influence on her friends that do. “I’ve always had it in my mind to be a very safe driver and not hurt anyone. But now it means a lot more.”
AAA, best known for assisting travelers and car insurance, is also an advocacy organization encouraging traffic safety. Parents who want to know more about safety for students walking to school can check out this flier with tips for both pedestrians and drivers.