Anne Arundel Police Monitoring Intersection After 2 Teens Hurt
SEVERNA PARK, Md. (WJZ)—A night at the carnival leads to serious injuries for two Severna Park teens. It happened on Ritchie Highway.
Now as Gigi Barnett explains, police are beefing up presence on the busy road.
For 17-year-old Kara Micciche and her boyfriend 18-year-old Sean Snyder, Tuesday night was supposed to be filled with fun at the Earleigh Heights Carnival. But as the couple crossed Ritchie Highway in Severna Park, the night turned tragic. Suddenly, both were struck by an oncoming car.
"It was just a crazy accident," said family friend Elizabeth Benefiel.
Medical helicopters lifted the teens to Shock Trauma, where Micciche is on life support-- awaiting to donate her organs.
"They're getting the recipients in place for her to save seven people," Benefiel said.
Anne Arundel County Police say the driver was not at fault. He was going the speed limit and stayed at the scene. But he couldn't see the teens. They were wearing dark clothing.
"It begs the point to stress about pedestrian safety: use crosswalks, cross the intersections with red signals, face traffic," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police spokesman.
Richie Highway is a big and busy road. And, Micciche's family and friends say they want more presence to help people cross the street, especially while the carnival is attracting hundreds every night.
"Somebody needs to do something," Benefiel said. "I'm all about carnivals. It just needs to be handled better."
Anne Arundel County Police say there is an officer at the Earleigh Heights intersection, reminding walkers to be careful when they walk that street to go over to the carnival.
Police say there's also a sign near the carnival alerting drivers to the carnival and people crossing the street.
