Local police upping traffic patrols for Notre Dame football games

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind., --- The South Bend Police Department is joining other local agencies to increase safety patrols during Notre Dame football game days in hopes to prevent any more accidents this season.

After the first home opener on Saturday, police said a pedestrian was struck by a car near Eddy Street and Corby Boulevard around 7 p.m. 

This comes nearly three years after a deadly hit-and-run accident claimed the life of Notre Dame grad Hannah Turgeon.

“Be aware of your surroundings, even in the parking lots it can get a little crazy when there’s 80,000 people on hand,” said Paul Turgeon, Hannah’s Father.

On Monday, Paul, who’s still grieving the loss of his daughter, spoke out about this weekend’s accident.

The accident is just minutes away from where his daughter was killed in a hit-and-run on South Bend Avenue, near the Linebacker, in October of 2019.

 “It’s devastating to lose any child and it’s been very hard,” said Turgeon. “Hannah was trying to communicate with a Lyft driver that had stopped in the lane in the middle of the street and she had stepped out to get closer to the vehicle and that’s when a car came out of nowhere.”

The accidents and increased foot traffic are a big reason why officials said they’ve upped patrols in the area.

“Before and after games we have several officers that direct traffic along the south edge of campus and that involves directing pedestrian traffic as well. Stopping vehicle traffic in some of the heavy areas where we have a lot of pedestrian traffic,” said Sgt. Brad Rohrscheib, head of Traffic & Special Events with the South Bend Police Department.

With Notre Dame football games drawing in thousands of fans and much heavier traffic, they’re reminding everyone to be on high alert.

“On your way off of campus just pay attention to the traffic signals, the cross-walk signals, if there’s officers directing traffic at the intersection pay attention to them,” said Sgt. Rohrscheib.

 “If you’ve been drinking get a ride share or get a ride from somebody, and if you’ve been drinking and walking be careful to stay on sidewalks,” added Turgeon.

Officials said the male hit in Saturday’s accident was taken to the hospital after suffering serious injuries. The driver involved is cooperating.

The driver in Hannah’s case, however, has not been caught.

Michiana Crime Stoppers is still offering a $10,000 reward for any information that may lead to an arrest in that case.