INDIANAPOLIS — The family of a young girl who was hit and injured by a Jeep early Wednesday morning on the easts side of Indianapolis says she's a fighter.
"We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our daughter, Hope," read a statement from the family. "She is in stable condition and has a long road to recovery ahead of her. We have no doubt she will be back on her feet soon."
IMPD said the incident happened just before 7:30 a.m. June 26 at the intersection of East Washington Street and Kitley Avenue.
Police said the girl was crossing the street to catch her school bus.
"We could see her on the ground, and we could tell from the damage of the vehicle that she was hurt pretty bad," said a witness named Larry, who works at Skyline Motel, just feet from where the crash happened.
Larry said safety is a major concern.
"It's just not safe to cross the street for anybody out here," Larry said.
The bus belonged to charter school, Believe. 13News reached out to the school, which said the school bus had its stop sign extended and flashing lights working at the time of the crash.
The driver stayed on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
It's a scene that's become far too familiar.
"So this is the third incident at this specific intersection," said Eric Holt, of Indy Pedestrian Safety Crisis, which been tracking pedestrian and cycling incidents for the last couple years.
Data shows someone was hit and killed in November 2022. Another person was struck and injured in April 2023.
"It's heartbreaking to see and gut-wrenching to continue to see these come in," Holt said.
According to Holt, nearly 10% of all incidents tracked in the city happen on Washington Street.
"We've tracked 371 incidents so far this year, and 39 of them have come along Washington Street. Last year, it was 684 incidents, with 68 being on Washington Street," Holt said.
Holt will continue pushing for immediate change.
"Ultimately, the solution is infrastructure. Making it so that drivers can't drive like this, can't behave like this, but in the short term, scaring them into thinking they might actually really get a ticket again for driving recklessly would go a long way," Holt said.
Neighbors want drivers to be cautious on the road.
"Slow the hell down," Larry said.
Hope's family is asking for privacy to focus on her recovery.
"As an avid basketball player and junior chef, we know she is eager to get back to doing what she loves," the family said.