Recklessness leads to head-on collision in parking garage

Speeding down a six-story University of Nebraska-Lincoln parking garage like a giant slalom is not recommended.

In fact, it is strongly discouraged, especially after Tuesday afternoon's accident on the first floor of the 17th and R streets parking garage.

Sgt. Doug Petersen of the University Police said a head-on collision led police to close the R Street entrance for about 45 minutes. After the accident, which occurred near the faculty/staff and student demarcation zones, traffic had to rerouted to the Q street entrance.

Peterson said there were no injuries, but a 2000 Pontiac Firebird sustained $8,000 in damage and a 2004 Ford Taurus received $2,000 in damage. Both cars had to be towed.

University Police Sgt. Jeff Hohlen said Kathryn Farris, driver of the Taurus and a sophomore animal science major, was cited for driving to the left of the center of the roadway.

Dan Carpenter, director of parking services, said that he went to the scene of the accident and took pictures.

He said that while there have only been 13 accidents in university parking garages during the last two years, luckily the majority of them have been fender benders and not too serious.

"We don't have that many accidents," Carpenter said.

He said the two biggest safety issues for the parking garages have been speeding and drivers staying in their lane.

Carpenter said UNPD installed some mirrors to help drivers see around corners, but it's difficult to see things in the mirrors because of the incline of the ramps and the various columns and beams.

During the summer, parking services painted yellow lines around the corners of the ramps to encourage drivers to stay in their lanes as they make their way around the parking ramps.

Carpenter said the lines were meant to be visual cues for drivers.

"This individual unfortunately cut short," he said of today's accident.

Carpenter also mentioned that 15 mph speed limit signs have been posted in the parking garages and that people need to heed those speed limits in order to be safe.

He said he realizes that it's difficult for students who are coming down the ramps to maintain their speed, but that in order to remain safe and not get involved in accidents, people need to vigilantly watch their speed.