brought to you by the ASU WebDevil and the State Press
brought to you by the ASU
WebDevil and the State Press
By Adam Klawonn
State Press
Every 12 minutes, a Phoenix motorist runs a red light. This figure drops to five minutes during rush hour, according to 1998 statistics from the Phoenix Police Department.
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Tonya Thuringer of the State Press ASU pre-business freshman Krystal Philippi was in a car struck by a red-light runner in April 1998. As a result of the accident, she was in a coma for three months and underwent nine months of rehabilitation. To help crack down on red-light violators, Philippi's father helped organize the Red Means Stop Coalition. |
About 4,500 people are hurt each year due to these red-light runners.
Krystal Philippi, an ASU pre-business freshman, was one of these unfortunate victims.
She said she doesn't see the logic in running a red light because it only saves 47 seconds on average, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"I just don't understand why people would be willing to gamble with a life to be on time," she said.
On April 25, 1998, Philippi was traveling to Chandler High School's senior prom with her boyfriend, Sam Marquis. As they turned left on a green arrow, a truck pulling a boat ran the red light and 'T-boned' the couple's Ford Mustang.
The boat shot off the trailer, launching itself over the truck only to land in a fiery crash. Although the truck's occupants received minor cuts and bruises, Marquis had permanent nerve damage in his scalp and Philippi suffered traumatic brain injuries after she was pinned in the car.
"When I tell people about what happened, it's just a story to me," she said. "I have no memory of the accident except what others have told me."
Philippi was a cheerleader with a 4.0 GPA at Chandler High School. But after the crash, she was left in a coma for three months and had to undergo nine months of rehabilitation. Her father, John Philippi, had to accept her diploma on her behalf.
"First, we had to teach her how to put food in her mouth and go to bathroom," he said. "When I took her to rehab, I would use flash cards every morning in the car. We started from scratch, working our way up from '1+1=2.'"
Krystal, 19, enrolled at ASU in January and is currently taking one class. She plans to increase her load to two or three courses in the spring. John said his daughter's determination and personality are pulling her through the process.
"The first year was hell," he said. "Although, she still has some comprehension problems. Everyday is an accomplishment."
In an effort to crack down on red-light offenders, Krystal's father and Sam's father, Les Marquis, along with Fred Hinds -- whose daughter was killed in a 1997 crash -- founded the Red Means Stop Coalition.
"Our goal is to educate the public on what the consequences are of running a red light," Marquis said. "It is as big as drunk driving."
The coalition is also fighting for stiffer penalties and better enforcement, as well as gathering volunteers to help people who have been in an intersection accident.
Marquis will be leaving his job as a construction project manager in a couple weeks to work with the coalition full-time. He added that ASU is on the group's outreach list because the campus has so many people.
"In the future, we definitely want to go national," he said. "According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are the only coalition of our kind."
Reporter Adam Klawonn can be reached by phone at (480) 965-2292 or by e-mail at afknotjfk@aol.com.
