On Oct. 28, a golf cart hit two women on the pedestrian walkways between Miller Fountain and Marrs McLean Science Center. This was the first time an incident of this kind occurred on campus.
Kira Kruegler, ‘24 alum, and her friend Eden Saunders were hit by the golf cart while walking around campus. Kruegler noted that the cart was only about two feet away when she tried to yell something to Saunders, but it was too late: the cart was moving too fast and was too close.
“We went to urgent care, thankfully not the emergency room. My skin and my knee got skinned through my leggings. But then we were certainly in pain over the next few days, we both developed very big bruises,” Kruegler said. “I definitely have a significant knee injury. … It’s either a sprain or a tear of my medial collateral ligament on my right knee.”
After the accident, Kruegler stated the need for increased awareness and caution around golf carts on pedestrian walkways.
“I spent four years at Trinity, and I lived on campus for three, and I never felt like I was going to get hit by a golf cart. They would always stop and let you pass, or if you weren’t crossing wherever, you would tell them to go,” Kruegler said. “So just being conscious and careful is the most important thing, which has been my experience with most people driving golf carts at Trinity.”
TUPD arrived within two to three minutes while both of the victims were still on the ground. Paul Chapa, TUPD chief, stated the incident was a complete accident.
“It was just an accident. The staff member was driving a golf cart in the area near the fountain and the accident happened, and he struck the two members of the community,” Chapa said.
Only a few people saw the crash. Jonathan Conway, sophomore finance major, was one of them and was shocked about what happened.
“It was a pretty loud sound, like a real car accident. … Both of them ended up on the ground after they got hit by the golf cart. I don’t think one girl got hit that hard, but the other girl — she got messed up,” Conway said. “It was more like she got tackled by an NFL linebacker because I just saw her feet come off the ground a little bit.”
Conway shared his thoughts on the importance of being more cautious around campus. He was surprised that the incident occurred in the first place.
“It was a really rare incident that just happened. I think people just have to be more aware, but that’s always an issue on campus. If anything, less golf carts, there are so many people driving along the path,” Conway said. “I don’t think many people are aware when they’re walking. … but after this they should be more careful.”
