Summer Safety

Our thoughts and prayers here at the News Letter Journal are with the Sheridan community after the death of 6-year-old Esperanza Lagunes-Aarstad over the weekend. The young girl, according to police, was trying to catch her bus home after school, running alongside the bus trying to get the driver’s attention when she ended up being pulled under the bus. 
She was taken by life flight to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she remained in a coma on life support until she died over the weekend. 
We cannot imagine what her family, the bus driver, witnesses and community are going through at this time, but we want to take this opportunity to stress the need to talk with your children about vehicle safety. 
As we move into the summer months, when more and more children will be gracing the streets to enjoy the sun, we can take this tragic accident and use it for some good. 
Let’s take the time to explain to our children the dangers they will face every day in parking lots, on sidewalks and while crossing the streets. Let’s take the time to explain to our children that they should not chase down a vehicle but instead get the attention of a nearby adult. 
As adults and drivers, let’s remember that we are behind the wheel of something capable of causing extreme damage. Let’s remember that while we think we are in control and aware of our surroundings, an extra eye is never going to hurt, because accidents do happen. 
This tragic event is not something that should be used to create new laws or point blame at a certain individual. This was, in fact, an outright tragic accident that no one could have prevented. Esperanza was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and her family, the bus driver, witnesses and community will have to live with that every day.
Let’s come together and hug the children that we cherish a little tighter tonight and every day. Let’s teach them to keep their eyes and ears open and to be aware of everything going on around them when they are around vehicles. 
Accidents can and do happen every day, but today and every day we have the opportunity to do everything in our power to prevent another. So keep your eyes and ears open, say a prayer for the family and community of Sheridan, and keep little Esperanza in your thoughts as you explain to your children why vehicle and parking lot safety is such an important thing to remember!