Topsail High School reiterates U.S. 17 safety guidance after student hit by car

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — Pender County Schools is providing new details after a Topsail High School student was hit by a car while crossing U.S. 17 Thursday afternoon.

The 15-year-old is a 10th-grade student at Topsail High School and was reported in stable condition following the incident, according to the school district. His parents were with him at the hospital.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the student was struck around 2:30 p.m. Thursday while crossing U.S. 17.

He was taken to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Highway Patrol says the driver was not cited.

Pender County Schools says the student does not have on-campus parking at Topsail High School. Only juniors and seniors are eligible for student parking on campus.

The district says Topsail High has repeatedly reminded students and families about safely crossing U.S. 17.

In messages sent to families Aug. 16 and Aug. 23, Principal Dr. Michael Sasscer told families that a crosswalk is available at the intersection of Vista Lane and U.S. 17 and strongly discouraged students from crossing the highway at any other location.

That guidance was sent to families again Friday morning, and Sasscer reiterated the message to students in a school announcement.

A state trooper previously told WWAY that pedestrian safety has been a concern along the stretch of U.S. 17 where the student was hit, noting there are no crosswalks along that portion of the highway.

It remains unclear why the student was crossing U.S. 17 Thursday afternoon. Pender County Schools says it does not know whether he was headed to a vehicle, a nearby business or another location and does not want to speculate.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.