Whittell student injured in accident on Highway 50

STATELINE - A 17-year-old girl, who was hit by a car as about 30 students watched, remains in critical condition Wednesday.

Kindra R. Boni suffered major head injuries, fractures, and bruising of several internal organs Tuesday when she ran in front of the car. The accident occurred around 7:10 p.m. shortly after the end of a school volleyball game.

The Whittell High School student was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital and immediately airlifted to Washoe Medical Center. On Wednesday afternoon she was listed in critical condition.

Boni was riding in a car traveling west on Highway 50 at Round Hill. When the car stopped in the left-hand turn lane at the stoplight at Elks Point Road, Boni got out and ran into the eastbound lanes of traffic and directly into the path of Melany Kerner. The 50-year-old Zephyr Cove woman, a mother of another Whittell High School student, had the green light at the intersection. Nevada Highway Patrol officers said the accident appeared to be caused by pedestrian error.

School officials and Tahoe-Douglas firefighters said it appeared that Boni was headed toward a large group of Whittell students gathered on a grassy area in front of Round Hill Mall. Boni was reportedly wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and dark pants at the time of the accident.

On Wednesday, students at Whittell, who are in the middle of homecoming week, continued to work through their feelings of shock and grief. School officials said between 10 and 16 students were released from school and driven by adults to the hospital to be near Boni. Three psychologists and five counselors were on campus to talk with students.

"There was a lot of anger and disbelief," said Whittell Principal Howard Bennett. "It is just a tragic incident. We want to give the community and the students a safe place to deal with this, and we are offering counseling to anybody who needs it."

More counselors will be at the school Thursday and Friday, but Bennett said classes will be held as usual.

Whittell's homecoming will be dedicated to Boni and a candlelight vigil is planned for Friday at 6:30 p.m. after the school's soccer game.