Jahrling's condition improving at U.Va.: 'It's a miracle'
Posted on February 4, 2008
“It’s a miracle that she’s doing as well as she is.”
That’s what freshman Leah Hartman said about her friend, freshman Bria Jahrling, who was seriously injured after being struck by a car Tuesday on campus. Jahrling is improving and is in good condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center as of Sunday evening.
Since the accident, family members have been with Jahrling and she has received several visitors, including some from Weaver Hall, where she lives on campus.
Freshman Leigh Walsch, who lives near Jahrling in Weaver Hall, said she and several friends drove to Charlottesville on the day of the accident and that others, like Hartman, have visited more recently.
According to freshman Beau Dobson, Hartman delivered a card Friday that had been made and signed by his dance class.
“Everyone is really devastated that it happened and to a dance major,” he said.
“I know that the family wants to thank everyone for supporting her,” Hartman said, “and keeping her in your prayers.”
Jahrling’s sister, Yara, has established a Web site to update family and friends about her sister’s status through carepages.com, under the name “BriaJahrling.”
According to friends, Jahrling was on her way to ballet in Godwin Hall when the accident occurred.
Hartman, who met Jahrling through dance, described her friend as “very outgoing and dedicated to dancing.” According to Hartman, Jahrling was chosen as one of a select group to visit the American College Dance Festival Association Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference at Goucher College in March. It is an honor for a freshman to be selected, she said, and now it is uncertain whether she will be able to attend.
Friends also said that Jahrling suffered skull and brain injuries, but their exact extent is not yet known.
Authorities have not released any more information about the accident or the driver of the vehicle. According to JMU Spokesman Don Egle, the case has been sent to the Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst could not be reached for comment over the weekend.
Some students say that accidents like Jahrling’s could be avoided by reducing traffic on campus.
At the University of Virginia, a system is in place to limit the number of vehicles on campus. U.Va. senior Nick Jalbert said that during the day gates are closed along the main road. Buses and maintenance vehicles are able to enter, but students in cars, unless they work on-campus, generally can’t. Students park away from central campus, Jalbert said, and the gates open after 5 p.m.
JMU freshman Melanie Pommer said a similar system here could be beneficial, but only if the buses go to all the buildings necessary for students.
The university analyzes traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, as well as traffic flow on a consistent basis each year and is currently in the planning process, according to Egle. He would not elaborate on what plans may be instituted in the future, but said there are a variety of options available. He did not state when any plans would be made available to the public.
Other students feel that the issue is not traffic density but the actions of individual drivers or pedestrians.
“I think speed should definitely be enforced,” Walsch said.
Other possible dangers include iPods. Some students say they make pedestrians less aware of their surroundings.
Walsch said of Jahrling, “In this specific case, it wasn’t a matter of iPods.”
