Developing story: Field hockey player improving after being hit by car
Updated 3.18.08 9:58 p.m.
According to hospital officials, Bain is currently listed in good condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Posted on March 17, 2008
Updated 3.17.08 1:30 p.m., Updated 8:22 p.m.
Police are now looking for another vehicle that was on the road the night sophomore field hockey forward Meghan Bain was injured after being struck by a vehicle in the southbound traveling lane on Neff Avenue.
According to a press release from the Harrisonburg Police Department, a second prior to the collision, another vehicle was traveling northbound. A group of pedestrians ran in front of the vehicle to cross the road. Police are now looking for the driver of the vehicle to aid in the investigation.
Bain is currently in critical condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
The former national rookie of the year was struck around 1 a.m. by a 1994 Toyota on Neff Avenue, driven by 60-year-old Hsin-Lung Chuang. She was taken to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and later transferred to the U. Va Medical Center.
At this time, charges have not been filed against the driver.
The 20-year-old, of Berlin, N.J., was a prominent member of the women's field hockey team that earned the title of 2007 CAA champs. Bain is first cousins with teammates and triplets Ashley, Lauren and Melissa Walls.
Coach Antoinette Lucas said she was not there the night of the accident, but said that the emergency medical personnel that were there “did a great job” of getting Bain immediate care. Lucas held practice for her team Monday afternoon.
"I just wanted to get them moving," she said. "I'm just trying to keep it light right now.”
One of Bain’s cousins, Melissa Walls, spoke briefly about her cousin and the impact her accident had on the team.
“It’s helped our team get a lot closer,” she said, taking a break from wailing field hockey balls at the goal. “And not just our team, but JMU. We have a loving community around us.”
The incident is the third of its kind reported this year. Junior Tiffany Martin was struck by a vehicle near Memorial Hall on Jan. 22, and freshman Bria Jahrling was critically injured Jan. 29 when she was hit by a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Matthew N. Birzon. Jahrling has since improved and is recovering at home.
