Harleysville woman in critical condition after being hit crossing street

A pedestrian accident that left a Kutztown University student in critical condition has heightened existing concern on the campus about the safety of students who cross Kutztown Road at the crosswalk in front of Old Main.

University officials plan to join the student government board on a previously scheduled safety walk on April 13 in the aftermath of the Sunday afternoon accident, according to an email message addressed to the “KU Campus Community” by the Office of University Relations.

“This is just one proactive effort in place as we strive to make our campus as safe as possible,” the message said, adding that suggestions and comments are welcome..

The accident happened about 4:15 p.m. when the student, Hope S. McKeone, 23, of Harleysville, Montgomery County, was walking east across Kutztown Road in the crosswalk and was struck by a northbound car driven by Joel A. Koehn, 26, of Mertztown, state police from the Reading station said.

Neither Koehn nor his passenger was injured.

McKeone was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, by Kutztown Ambulance. University officials said she was listed in critical condition Monday night. An updated condition was unavailable.

Kutztown Road bisects the campus and is a convergent point for thousands of students who cross the road during classes and thousands of vehicles traveling north and south through the borough of Kutztown and into the campus in Maxatawny Township, university officials said.

The university provides crossing guards during periods of peak pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There is also a traffic light at Schaeffer Lane and blinking yellow warning lights on Kutztown Road on both sides of the campus.

“While these precautions enhance pedestrian safety on Kutztown Road, we also must remain vigilant and alert to motorists at all times,” the message stated.

“While the above efforts will certainly enhance campus safety even more, our priority today is monitoring the health of our injured student and praying for a full recovery,” the message concluded.