High-schooler struck on Bypass 28

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:38:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

A German exchange student attending Manchester High School West was hit by a motorist who drifted onto the shoulder on Bypass 28 on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The 17-year-old girl suffered knee and head injuries when she was thrown 25 to 50 feet in the accident.

Carolin Urich of Neustadt, Germany, returned to her home on Sunday, Jan. 28, for surgery and rehabilitation, but said she intends to return for the remainder of her year-long exchange.

Urich was near the end of her 1.5-mile-long walk to the bus stop near Kmart at the intersection of Bypass 28 and Route 27 when she looked up to see a car coming toward her.

“I felt it hit me,” she said, “but can’t remember being hit. I think it was just a couple of seconds when I passed out. I noticed my leg hurt, my face, blood.”

Passing motorists stopped to help the teenager.

“I kind of did like in the movies,” said Urich, “screamed for help. Other cars stopped, came to me and helped me.”

Urich is spending a year with the Crowley family of Hooksett. When she was struck, Kim and Paul Crowley were called, but Paul was stuck in traffic near Boston. Kim Crowley met Urich at Elliot Hospital, where it was determined she had five torn ligaments in her right leg, a dislocated kneecap, cuts and bruises.

Urich had to have stitches under her eye and in her eyebrow. Urich’s parents were unable to come to New Hampshire to see their daughter. They were shocked and worried, but Urich made them promise to let her return to the U.S. for the rest of her exchange before agreeing to come home for further medical help.

Kimberly Crowley said West teachers will send schoolwork to Urich while she recovers. The driver who struck Urich admitted to fiddling with the radio at the time of the accident, said Crowley, and feels “really bad.” Urich has spoken with him by phone.

“I told him I understand it was an accident,” she said.

The driver was not charged in the incident. His insurance is covering Urich’s medical expenses, said Kimberly Crowley. Aside from the obvious problems Urich faces recovering from her injuries, she is also disappointed to be unable to particpate in cross-country skiing, skateboarding and snowboarding, which she was beginning to learn. She would have participated in the West High School cross-country competition as well as attend a semi-formal dance coming up.

“I was going to buy my dress today,” said Urich, “but I’m flying home today.”

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High-schooler struck on Bypass 28