Friday afternoon a tractor trailer seemingly lost the ability to brake while coming down route 79 and ran directly into Simeons restaurant. Four were injured and one person, Amanda Bush, was killed in the accident. Citizens on the scene and our first responders acted heroically - and our staff have been working around the clock since then to stabilize the building. North Aurora Street remains closed for traffic. But the sidewalks - and restaurants - are open. Any traffic accident that claims a life is a tragedy, and this one has rocked Ithaca. In part because that location - the point where East Hill, South Hill and downtown meet - is at the geographic and cultural heart of our community. Any Ithacan could have been standing at that corner. So predictably there are a lot of questions being asked. Namely why did this happen, and what can we do to prevent it from happening again. Those are the right questions, and in the coming days the State Police will complete their investigation. In the coming weeks and months we will explore installing physical barriers that could slow runaway vehicles. Well also examine installing legal barriers that would prevent trucks of this size from losing control on our hills in the first place. But our most immediate concern is the family of Amanda Bush, most especially her 14 month old daughter. This is a time of tremendous difficulty, and so many of you have contacted me with the desire to help. Ill be meeting tomorrow morning with Amandas family. We will be establishing an official fund in conjunction with her familys wishes. As soon as we do I will release the details. Thank you all for your offers of support and condolences. The generosity of this City remains an inspiration - even in the most trying of moments. The darker the night, the brighter the stars.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:03:25 +0000
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