News

Wheelchair user hit by vehicle on Cullen

By Matt Dulin
The Daily Cougar

In an eerie episode of déjà vu, a UH student and wheelchair user was struck by a car while crossing Cullen Boulevard at UH Entrance 11 across from Cougar Place on Sunday.

The accident mirrors another almost exactly a year ago, when another disabled UH student was hit at the same intersection.

Daylon Studdard, the victim of this weekis accident, was transported to Ben Taub Hospital on Sunday after an ambulance that UHPD called arrived on the scene. Studdardis right leg was broken in the impact and fall.

Jan. 27, 2002, UH graduate student Angela Panzica was hit by an automobile while crossing the street in her wheelchair at night. During and after her recovery, Panzica urged for street improvements that could prevent such accidents. Some improvements were made, including patching some parts of the road to make the crossing smoother.

The accident Sunday does not appear to be due to structural failures of the crosswalk; the man driving the car told police at the scene that he heard the warning bell that sounds for crossing wheelchairs when the traffic light turns red, but that he disregarded it.

Adley John Prince Jr., described as an adult visitor to campus in the police report, was arrested for driving with a suspended driveris license. Prince told the police that his license was suspended because of his having outstanding debts to the state of Oklahoma. He was placed into custody of Harris County police, who also issued him a citation for running a red light and causing an auto-pedestrian accident.

The police report said Prince was driving his blue truck down Cullen Boulevard toward Interstate 45. As he approached the traffic light at Entrance 11, he began to turn left. While he was turning, he noticed his truck slow down considerably. He pushed the accelerator, then braked when he saw Studdard roll away from the passenger-side front bumper.

A witness who filed a volunteer report with UHPD said he saw Princeis blue truck hit and push Studdard in his wheelchair. The witness, Emilio Soto, a freshman architecture student, said Studdard did not fall out of his wheelchair. 

At that point, Prince went to the aid of Studdard, who immediately asked him to call for help. Prince ran to Cougar Place to call 911.

Police officials were not available for comment Wednesday evening.
 

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