SJHHS Teen Struck In Crosswalk Is Home, Resting, Family Says

(Rancho San Juan Capistrano, CA) -

UPDATE, 12/5/17, 12:50 PM:

SJHHS TEEN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL, FUNDRAISING ACCOUNT SAYS

Posted on December 5, 2017

“Kenneth is home from the hospital he recognizes everyone, still has problems with nausea. He is resting and is uncomfortable due to a full leg cast. Surprisingly in good spirits after the trauma he suffered. No visitors at this time. Thank you everyone for the prayers and support we have received.”

The Tilstra Family

You Caring fundraising for the family has helped raise $6,472 of a $10,000 goal.

The teen is the oldest of five children, according to the You Caring account, and the family will need funds to help keep the teen rested, healing and improving in the days to come.

https://www.youcaring.com/tilstrafamily-1029412?utm_source=adroll&utm_medium=adroll-email&utm_campaign=donate-email-day-2

UPDATE, 12/4/17, 10:47 PM:

On the eve of the one week anniversary of the vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision Nov. 28 at 7:32 am at Stallion Ridge and Via Pamplona near San Juan Hills High School, the City of San Juan Capistrano has issued a statement.

The legal liability of that intersection falls under the jurisdiction of the City of San Juan Capistrano.

Those on the front-lines of the intersection twice daily — students, parents, educators, Whispering Hills residents and drivers, all already know it’s just another accident waiting to happen like Nov. 28 unless two key changes are made immediately and left in place each school year.

(1) a crossing-guard be added as an extra layer of protection for students crossing at Via Pamplona on Stallion Ridge during drop-off and pick-up;

(2) law enforcement presence at Stallion Ridge/Via Pamplona to serve as a reminder to those speeding that the speed limit in a school zone when students are present is 25 mph; parking to wait for your student in the Whispering Hills fire zone lane on Via Pamplona is illegal; turning left onto Via Pamplona to drop-off your student is also an unauthorized CUSD drop-off of SJHHS students.

While many simply want the statement to say, “Yes. The City of San Juan Capistrano is taking responsibility for that intersection since it’s our jurisdiction and we paid for the cross-walk to be put in, and it’s obvious more needs to be done “today” to keep students safe. Full-time volunteer crossing guards are going in; and we also have volunteer police officers who have agreed to sign on and help. We have residents that want to volunteer in some capacity, and when we put up the description of the jobs needed on our community website — we were amazed at those who stepped forward to help out. We will also have a team of civil engineering college students out there daily as a “for internship credit” college course to help aid the City planners with key data about La Pata traffic flow. We already know that La Pata backs up with traffic at Stallion Ridge during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up — and adding more layers of safety for the students will most likely cause this already back-log of traffic to increase. And that impacts safety for all those drivers on La Pata. We heard from some residents on scene on 11/28 that first responders were even delayed getting to the victim that day because they were in the back-log of traffic on La Pata that morning. Therefore, we are working with our partners in this situation — CUSD and SJHHS, to open up a now closed private entry way and parking lot off of Stallion Ridge before Via Pamplona to everyone — not just SJHHS teachers and staff. Opening up that lot is a critical step to help ease the pressure-cooker of cars, pedestrians and Whispering Hills residents struggling to decide whose turn it is to move at Stallion Ridge and Via Pamplona. It’s not going to be a popular decision with everyone— but we need to look at and use all options available to us. We may also team up with CUSD to offer free shuttle drop-off and pick up for SJHHS students in Ladera Ranch. Just like we do for the Rodeo every year, we will shuttle in and shuttle out students. In an effort of full transparency on this topic, we have created a Facebook page for all affected to access and help brainstorm ideas. We know it’s extremely confusing and frustrating for all parties involved, but we believe open communication and making everyone a part of the solution will help ease tensions. We’ve created a Task Force on the situation that is comprised of a representative from the City, Whispering Hills, CUSD, SJHHS, a student, a parent, law enforcement, first responders. Task Force meetings are once a month and open to the public.”

But...

That’s not what they said.

Instead, here is what San Juan Capistrano Assistant City Manager Jacob Green said,

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured student and his family. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department continues their investigation of the incident. They will determine the circumstances of the accident and any contributing factors. Items are not added to a Council meeting by the public. However, your request for the item [intersection safety of Stallion Ridge/Via Pamplona] to be heard by the Council will be shared with them them. If an item is added, it would be added to closed session. We have also reviewed the video that you sent [school pick up 11/29/17 Stallion Ridge and Via Pamplona]. At this time the City does not have anything further to add and we thank you for reaching out.”

— Jacob Green, Assistant City Manager, City of San Juan Capistrano

CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MEETS TONIGHT AT CITY HALL: IF THE SJHHS PARENTS AND RESIDENTS OF RANCHO SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO WANT CHANGE, SHOW UP AND FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD. YOU’LL BE GIVEN 3 MINUTES TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

In addition,

(1). Please donate to this young boys family, who face uncertain future with medical bills.

https://www.youcaring.com/tilstrafamily-1029412

(2). Please sign the circulating petition to have a properly staffed cross-walk at Stallion Ridge and Via Pamplona.

https://www.thepetitionsite.co...

Tuesday, November 29th, 4:51 PM:

ATTENTION CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO BOARD MEMBERS....

CUSD said today that it is the City of San Juan Capistrano’s jurisdiction to handle the safety and law enforcement at Stallion Ridge and Via Pamplona, in Rancho San Juan Capistrano— just steps from CUSD’s San Juan Hills High School.

Just one day after a 14-year old SJHHS boy was struck by a vehicle in your intersection— this was what was going on out there today at school “pick up” (see attached video: https://www.facebook.com/RPGNewsroom/videos/1927810717538742/)

Things went well this morning when an OCSD Deputy was there to monitor the entire 7 - 8 am hour.

But come this afternoon— not so much.

CUSD officials tell people to call 911 — not them, about the intersection.

So don’t even bother trying to flag down the CUSD school buses to help (see video, CUSD Bus #189).

Just, wow.

Don’t go to the main office on campus. Don’t call the Superintendent’s Office.

According to each, their hands are legally tied and they can do absolutely NOTHING for the kids because it’s the “City of San Juan Capistrano’s legal jurisdiction.”

And according to parents, the City of San Juan Capistrano told them that they are a “poor City with no money” to help out with safety at their intersection.

So SJHHS parents: if your kids go to this school, and are crossing at that intersection on foot, you definitely — highlighted, want to go spend a day out there and just watch. Its hard not to jump in and help....

But don’t call the school. They won’t — and can’t, step foot in that intersection to help, according to the school and the district today minutes after this footage was shot alerting them both to the near misses — a day after this young boy suffered critical traumatic life threatening injuries at that intersection.

Instead, school officials said today — almost calmly, as though this conversation has been going on for quite some time — to call 911.

And then go to the City of San Juan Capistrano Board Meeting. Next one happens to just be Tuesday, Dec. 5th in Downtown San Juan Capistrano at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

And if you still get what you’re getting, call Jon & Ken KFI AM 640 and ask them to please do a remote broadcast at the intersection.

If Jon and Ken can’t get it done, no one can.

Praying for those sweet kids trying to cross the street, and the boy critically injured yesterday; and the boy struck the month before.