Girl, 13, dies after being struck by car

Emily Richmond and Mary Manning

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.

A 13-year-old girl, Adriana Lauzon, who was struck by a car along with a friend in Southern Highlands last week, died Tuesday at University Medical Center.

The other girl who was struck in the Oct. 15 accident, Tabatha Speas, also 13, remains in critical condition.

Speas' father, Michael, said the family was "optimistic" about his daughter's recovery. Tests showed that she did not suffer brain damage, he said.

Kristy Keller, principal of Canarelli Middle School, where both girls attended eighth grade, said the mood was somber on campus today and that grief counselors were talking with students.

Since the school opened Aug. 25 staff has had concerns about traffic speeding through the area, Keller said.

"Even before this tragedy we've been reminding our students to be careful, and I'm out there every day crossing the kids," Keller said. "People in this area, and most of them appear to be construction workers, are going anywhere from 40 to 60 miles an hour. They ignore the flashing signs during school hours."

Keller said she is working with Clark County School District and county officials to push for making the intersection of Robindale and Torrey Pines Drive a four-way stop.

Since the accident, family and friends have gathered to light candles, place flowers and collect signatures on a petition to Clark County for a crosswalk in the area.

Parents on Tuesday afternoon created a makeshift crosswalk with tape, but Metro Police had them remove it.

Metro Police are still investigating the accident in which the driver, 24-year-old Summer Larkin, said she failed to see the girls, officers said.

No charges have been filed against Larkin.

Clark County Commissioner Mark James, who represents the area, said the county would do everything he could to improve the area for pedestrians.

Bobbie Shelton, spokesman for Clark County's Public Works Department, said it's a mistake for parents or other residents to take matters into their own hands when it comes to traffic control, Shelton said.

"All they're doing with a temporary crosswalk is giving people a makeshift sense of security about crossing the street," Shelton said this morning. "It's not legal and it's not going to do anything but cause confusion for pedestrians and motorists."

Shelton said it's human nature to try and get from point A to point B by the most direct route possible.

"But it's not always the safest route," Shelton said.