Tragic Skateboarder Death 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
A college student riding a skateboard on his stomach was killed when he entered an intersection and was run over by a Dodge Neon.
‘Horrible accident’ kills man
Skateboarder dies in East Campus.
By JAMES GOODWIN of the Tribune’s staff
Published Monday, November 11, 2002
Police have not charged the driver of a car that killed a 20-year-old skateboarder near Boone Hospital Center early yesterday morning.
Benjamin Steeno, a 2001 graduate of Hickman High School, died at the corner of Anthony and William streets after his skateboard collided with a Dodge or Plymouth Neon driven by 19-year-old Katherine Giles of Columbia.
Giles, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured in the 1:35 a.m. accident. Police say she wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they have not charged her with speeding.
When the accident occurred, a police officer was on his way to the intersection to respond to a complaint about the presence of about 200 people in the area, including skateboarders, said Capt. Mike Martin of the Columbia Police Department.
"I would categorize this as persons not using very sound judgment in their activities. It was a horrible accident," he said. "The profile of the rider would make it very difficult for the driver of the car to see, particularly at 1 a.m. because of the lighting conditions."
The responding officer reported that Steeno was on his stomach riding east down a hill on Anthony Street when he and the car collided. Giles was traveling north on William Street. Martin said he wasn’t sure who was the first to enter the intersection, which has two stop signs for Anthony Street traffic.
Because Steeno was on wheels, the same rules that apply to bicyclists and other vehicles would have applied to him, Martin said.
"You are required to follow the traffic laws," he said. "He would not be considered a pedestrian," who would have the right of way once he or she entered the street.
Laxma Dendi, who lives about a half-block from the intersection of Anthony and William streets and uses it up to four times a week, said he would be more comfortable if it had a four-way stop.
He said that last year a friend struck a utility pole at the corner and narrowly missed another vehicle after he misjudged the driver’s plan. The problem, Dendi said, was his friend assumed all drivers at the intersection were required to stop.
Submitted on 11/13/2002
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
www.showmenews.com 11/11/02
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