Collision with School Bus in North Phoenix Claims One

This is the story we never want to hear. One teenager is dead and another critically injured after their vehicle collided with a school bus.

I have been writing about driving behavior in school zones for months now, ever since school started. Nevertheless, at 7:35 this morning, the bus driver was beginning his pickup route. He was traveling westbound on Union Hills with an empty bus and was turning left onto 12th street when a Volkswagon hatchback traveling eastbound struck the side of his bus. The Volkswagon ended up crushed underneath the bus. The teenage driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the passenger was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

A parent who lives in the area said that neighbors have complained about speeding and reckless driving on Union Hills, especially between 12th street and 20th street. North Canyon High School is at 17th street and Union Hills, therefore I can’t help but jump to the conclusion that a lot of the speeding is done by the high school students. I am sure that complaints like these are common in areas with schools, especially high schools. I was a high school student and I remember how excited I was to have a car and how much fun it was. I wasn’t necessarily reckless or careless, however, at the time I just felt carefree. I don’t think the friends of these teenagers feel “carefree” right now.

I am curious for how long, how often, and to whom these people have been complaining. I wonder if they have been complaining to the city, and if so has the city responded in any way? For example, lowering the speed limit or posting an officer to monitor the situation. I wonder if they have been complaining to the school, and if so has the school responded in any way? For example, communicating with the students about safe driving and informing parents of the problems therefore making them aware of the dangers to their children. The lack of such would not necessarily render any of these agencies “legally liable”, but at times like this, the issues are much more important than legal liability. When a life has been lost, the right to make a claim does not really do justice, does it?

As I have said before and will probably say hundreds of times more, we are all responsible for our children’s safety and that does not stop when they become old enough to drive. Yes, it becomes more difficult, and yes, we have to help them in the long run to take this responsibility upon themselves because God knows we won’t be able to take the pain away from them if something like this ever happens to them or one of their friends. We have to figure out ways to impress upon them the dangers of driving without making them terrified to get behind a wheel.

I recall reading a Dear Abbey column when I was young. I have never forgotten it. I think this should be mandatory reading before a teenager gets a driver’s license. It is called “Please God, I’m Only 17”. Here it is:


PLEASE GOD, I’M ONLY 17!
"The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was to cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom, "SPECIAL FAVOR", I pleaded, "All the Kids drive." When the 2:50 bell rang, I threw all my books in the locker. I was free until 8:40 tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot....excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss. Free!
"It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off...going too fast, taking crazy chances, but I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard the deafening crash and felt a terrific jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.
"Suddenly I awakened. It was very quiet, a police officer was standing over me. Then I saw the doctor. My body was mangled, I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn't feel anything.
"Hey, don't pull that sheet over my head. I can't be dead. I'm only seventeen, I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed to grow up and have a wonderful life. I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead.
"Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks had to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mother's eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Father suddenly looked like an old man. He told the man in charge, "Yes, He is my son".
"The funeral was a weird experience. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They passed bye, one by one, and looked at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked away.
"Please...Somebody...WAKE ME UP! GET ME OUT OF HERE! I can't bear to see my Mother and Father so broken up. My grandparents are so wracked with grief they can barely walk. My brothers are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze, everybody! No one can believe this. And..., I can't believe it either.
"Please don't bury me! I'm not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance again. Please don't put me in the ground. I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I'll be the most careful driver.
Please God, I'm only seventeen!"