When my son was 18 he hit a car head-on because he didn't stop long enough at a stop sign. Luckily no one was hurt. His inexperience as a young driver was definitely a big factor. The accident on Lewis Rd. is a tragedy that could have happened to any of us. Instead of hatred, anger and blame, use it as a reminder that cars are deadly weapons that can result in deadly consequences when people aren't focused 100% on the road. Commit to being the best driver you can be. Try to find forgiveness in your heart.

We need to let the authorities complete their investigation, as Patch readers do not know exactly what happened. Fault, if any, and the extent of that fault will be determined by professionals trained to investigate accidents, so 'suspending judgement' until some facts are available is a good idea.

I wonder if you all would or could feel the same if it had been YOUR wife, mother, daughter, sister that was mowed down by someone obviously not paying attention tot he road? I, unfortunately have first hand experience with this as our daughter was hit and killed in APril fo 2011 on Township Line Rd. near the Y on a clear afternoon whle walking home from work. This too happened because someoine was not paying attention. People, WAKE UP and pay attention!

I feel like a lot of the people who are commenting on and following this story don't realize the fact that the accident happened in front of two busloads of Spring-Ford students (one of which I was in) and a few of us (again, myself included) saw a woman being killed yesterday. Most of us saw a woman lying dead and a strong classmate having a breakdown on the side of the road. That's something we'll never really be able to get over.
As for the driver, I've known him for a while now and I can honestly say that I'm horrified at the result of his mistake and equally horrified at the reactions of the community. He's not the safest driver, but he's still just a kid. He's still barely eighteen and he has to live the rest of his life knowing that his mistake took a woman's life and her entire family is suffering because of it. He has to live the rest of his life with people hating him for his negligence, with hating himself for what he's done.
I'm not saying that it is in any way excusable, but he's only 18 and his life just got destroyed. I'm not saying he should be forgiven. I'm saying that the mentality of the community right now, of wanting him to suffer the rest of his life in jail, is horrid. If I can say this knowing he's left me with the image of Merinda Thompson dying in my head over and over again, I'm utterly ashamed of all of you who are speaking without knowing the woman or the driver and without having witnessed the event.

hi , let me say this, im a resident of Royersford, and I did not know the poor woman who was killed and I do not know the young driver, but tonight at about 12:30 I drove to the site of the accident on my way home from reffing hockey, to say a prayer for her, and her family, this young mans life is changed forever and so are the lives of her family , her kids, her husband, her mom and dad and everyone else involved in this tragedy, God will be the final judge on all of this, he will see this young man and inside of him what is going on, God put all of us here and he will take us when he wants too, I pray that everyone involved knows God and acts accordingly, This young man didn't leave his house that morning and say im gonna run someone over today, and that poor woman didn't leave her house to jog saying good bye to her kids knowing it would be the last time, nobody wanted this to happen, and like someone else said , it was an accident, yes we have laws, and maybe he broke one, but he will suffer the rest of his life for what happened, he is 18 , ive had two of them, lets just pray that God takes control of it all , and his will is done, God bless this young man and the Thompson family, God bless you all

Very wise and necessary words Troy. Thank you.

Troy if you know the driver you know the truth on who he really is as a person. I know kids in your grade and they told me about this kid. If I could copy nd paste what they said I would. And my best friend wouldn't make up stuff like this. The driver thought he was top gun on the road. When in reality he not. I personally have cursed him out months ago for blantly running a stop sign. And if it wasn't for my common sense of going omg this kid isn't gonna stop. I better stop despite I don't even have a stop sign I would b dead too. And it was bc he was going to work. He acted like I was nuts. He has no remorse except his car he loves so much is ruined. If he cries at night its bc his car is gone. Troy wake up your friend u just defended is a low life self center person. I dbt for 1 min he even cares that u or anyone else saw the poor innocent woman die.

Kathy bender I see ur comments keep showing up all over we get the hint ur laid off and have nothing better to do then post all over her page. Heaven for bid u make any mistakes god!! I'm sure u don't stupid stuff while driving too, u were young once. I understand u have first hand experience but toxicology reports didn't come back yet he'll he might of did nothing but maybe day dreaming. I don't know. Maybe if things were turned and ur daughter was the one that killed someone, u may just have a different outlook. Now stop commenting on this and go back to work, we get it!

I was at a business on Monday night and was talking to the employees .When I told them what kind of car was involved they all said one boy's name. They all said how he drove irresponsibly at all times and that he had a substance problem. If he was not on his cell phone for whatever reason, then why did he not give the phone over to the police if he knew he was on the phone and guilty. From what I heard this sounds like a combination of a youth that thought he was invincible and that what ever actions he did nothing would happen. I feel that all parents should be more involved with our children and with what they do in society and also by the government be held more accountable for their actions. This is a problem in all of society just not here but everywhere and because of this a family must now live the rest of their lives without a wife ,a mother, and a sister because of a irresponsible person. I hope that the D.A if she finds out through their investigation that if he was guilty prosecuted him as an adult and not a juvenile and to the fullest extent of the law. I hope all of us in this community can learn by this tragedy, teach our children there is consequences to any action that they do. God bless Merinda's family and R.I.P Merinda

Diane Moore if u had read them u would notice her daughter wasnt all there and she left her walk on that busy road. Common sense to me says she shouldn't of been walking!!

Shuturmouth- if you had enough time to read all of her comments then maybe its time for YOU to go back to work. What happened is NOT okay. You're outrageously rude comments just show that you're as immature as the driver of that car.

Lewis Road has had a long sad history of pedestrian accidents. it has never been pedestrian friendly even back in the 60's and 70's when there was much less population when i lived in the area. that 18 year old kid will never be the same and this incident will either make him a more responsible citizen or a nutter who's life will never see the sun of hope. God bless the soul of the pedestrian who is now with Him in a better place. Anger is not the solution, but only adds to the problem of a decades old reality...Lewis Road is NOT for pedestrians and barely fit for motorists. This is a cold hard fact, and not open for debate

Pamela, thank you for your article. I agree it is a tragedy for both families. I will keep them all in my prayers. People have a right to their opinions - however, some of these posts are truly embarrassing. I cannot believe the anger that comes out of some individuals. What is the world coming to?

First, let me commend this author for urging us all to spin this stranger's death into our own personal tragedy. More people should seek attention by turning other's problems into their own.
Second, the neighbors who always speed through my neighborhood will no longer anger me. Should they kill one of the numerous children, like the author, I will call it a "terrible ACCIDENT." I am sure the author agrees that if her children were killed by teenagers who sometimes drag race through Royersford, she would not want the drivers prosecuted because of their " inexperience...and in life in general." We should stop arresting drunk drivers as they don't "intentionally strike" other drivers. Why punish drivers who kill other through their actions? "Will that really fix the problem?"
Last, kudos to using her perspective as a mother to avoid any maudlin remarks in the four sentences she devotes to Merinda. Some lesser minds might bemoan the obvious: that she will never again get to mother her children; she will miss all of the moments and milestones that are yet to come in their young lives. They certainly would whine about the pain her absence creates in her children's lives; the suffering of her husband who has lost his love. Instead, this author uses three paragraphs to make excuses for the driver that killed this mother. She makes sure we understand that this young man is the one who is truly the victim and deserving of all our sympathies.

Kathy ~ I've also have lost a child and yes, it's the worst feeling ever, but eventually, you have to stop being so angry and bitter. It's not going to help your daughter. As a parent, I would NEVER, EVER allow my child or anyone I know walk or even ride a bike on Township Line Road. There is no place for anyone to walk or ride and the people drive like maniacs on this road. It's a very dangerous road to be walking or riding a bike. Maybe deep down, you blame yourself for allowing your daughter to walk on this extremely dangerous road. The drive was definitely at fault, yes, but you are as well for allowing your daughter to walk on this dangerous road.

Are you people reading what you are typing? What happened Monday was a tragic accident, That kid did not get in his car and plan this. I was a teenager and so was everybody once. I did not know the things I know now. I thought I was invincible, I can name plenty of stupid things I have done in the past. Thank God nobody was hurt, but it could have been me or anyone of us who drive. Because you try to stay focused when driving but lets face it. We are human. There are so many distractions. I have already had so much on my mind that I didn't remember going from point A to point B (and that was recently). I have a clean driving record, never was stopped by a cop. Why is that? Because I have been lucky. How Many of you drivers have had to go around joggers or bikers and yelled or thought to yourself they shouldn't be on this road? So stop the blaming and the hating. Nobody is perfect we all have faults. We should be coming together as a community and finding ways for this not to happen again like educating drivers, making trails more accessible to joggers or walkers so they are not on dangerous roads. Because most of the roads around here that have higher speed limits, don't have side walks for a reason. Most residents know they aren't safe and so do the townships.

This situation deeply saddens me, even more so that I can see the point the author made is lost on many people, on both sides.

It's so easy to resort to anger before all of the facts are out in the open. I've seen many instances on the Patch websites and other news sites where the Internet has allowed people to communicate their thoughts and opinions without thinking.

All I will say is I am going to have both families in my thoughts. Despite what you thinking of jogging on "the wrong roads" or the fact that the driver was often irresponsible doesn't change the fact that this is a tragedy and there are people on both sides that are hurting.

wow

Kathy,
The ignorance of the comments directed to you here is sad. I am so sorry for your loss. Regarding the accident on Lewis road Monday, My heart breaks for Mirinda Thompson's family. I have heard from numerous students at Spring-ford that the young man involved did not want to turn in his phone because he did not want his "clientèle" list seen by the police. Yes he is just 18 yrs old, but he has the rest of his life. Merinda doesn't. Her two small sons will never see their mom again. I guess I am bitter because I just can't forgive that...

To Shuturmouth: I think you should SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I find your remarks to Kathy Bender extremely obnoxious and disrespectful. To flyers80, yes, people drive like manaics, and here lies the problem. Everyone is not a careless driver. I consider myself a very good driver who has never had a ticket and, obviously, has never ended up on the wrong side of the road. This was a clear day with no ice and no excuse for him to be there. Maybe he is upset but it is because he knows what he could be facing. A woman was killed and this should never have happened. He roars through town like he is invisable. He took an innocent woman's life and left 2 boys without a mother. My heart and prayers go out to her family.

My thoughts and prayers first and foremost go out to the family of the victim,but as well as the drivers because I am sure that just as much as he himself may feel shamed, most of responsable and regretful, his family most likely does as well. I hope that through the pain and grieving they must endore that the love from thoughs around them can help aid in the healing they all will have to do.
I have read so many comments, but the ones tht stick out in my mind are those that basically somehow place blame on the road, or the victim herself. No road is safe for pedistrians when a car is on it. Many roads do not have sidewalks, and in this case a sidewalk would not have done ANYTHING. This could have been different, the children at chesterbrook very well could have been the victims instead, at the very same spot. The fact that she was jogging there is irrelevent as no matter where someone were to jog this exact same thing could happen because the road conditions nor the area where the cause, blame lays solely on the driver. Some people do not have cars, some kids I have seen in cross country with coaches run down roads with and without sidewalks. I think its natural to think of these things because then we are telling ourselves it will not happen again, and its natural to feel upset because we relate when we have loved ones ourselves, but try to focus on helping this family heal as they have just lost a mother, wife, daughter and friend. I pray the community can embrase them!

Well for starters at 18 I did not kill anybody with my stupidity. Do you think that he was traveling too fast for the road? Do you think he should of been texting if he was?

Tell this woman's children that nobody is to blame. Examples must be set in order to eliminate the problem.

I saw a sever accident on Lewis back in October 11, I saw it clear as day, the teenage girl was fooling with her phone and she rear ended another car.

Smart phones are very dangerous in the hands of stupid people.

I hear everyone talking about how they first hand witnessed this kids driving insane, but did anyone bother to call the police. Maybe had the police been called this might not have happened. Just remember everyone watched him drive this way and did nothing about it.

Kids...listen up...

Forget the cell phone, the drugs and the radio. Even if you are totally lucid and paying attention to the road you are still not allowed to cross an oncoming lane of traffic and hit a pedestrian lawfully jogging down the opposite side of the road. This is a felony...termed Murder 3, involuntary manslaughter or vehicular homicide. You go to jail for this.

You go to jail for a longer period of time if you allow your driving ability to be impaired by a cell phone, drugs, radio etc.

After you suffer the legal punishment for you actions you will then (most likely) incur a "wrongful death" lawsuit by the family of the victims. Because you don't have any money at age 18 your wages will be garnished until you pay back a very large sum of $$$. So even after you get out of jail and get a job you will not keep your whole paycheck or lottery winnings for many years.

This is just so sad.
I do not know either party and I did not post this blog for attention. I simply wanted to do something to unite the community rather than divide it.
My deepest symathies to the Thompson family as they obviously are the victims in this and will be for the rest of their lives.
I apologize if I offended anyone by posting this blog.

To all the families that have lost a love one from being struck on the road. Kathy I had read about your daughter and that was a tragedy I felt so bad when that happen and I had followed the story. I grew up in the area when it was fields but as a kid I remember that road always being busy. My prayers go out to the Thompson Family so sorry for your lost. And prayers go out to the young man also in this accident.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal"
Pamela, Thank you for writing this blog as we as a community needed a forum to express our Hurt, Anger and Blame.

Pamela, just another example of no good deed (your trying to insert a note of compassion and humanity into what's become a nasty "discussion") going unpunished. Kathy Bender, so sorry for your loss, and I admire how you stand up to the people who rant against you in those horrible and unintelligent posts. The internet has opened up a whole new platform for us to exercise our freedom of speech, but it sure can get ugly sometimes.

One of the things that I find odd in this situation is the amount of responses. There have been two other young people killed by drivers in our area, one was Kathy's daughter as mentioned on here, and there was another young man that was hit turning into his driveway on his bicycle. Nowhere near the responses as this accident were posted, was it because this was a teenager that struck the pedestrian? Did we feel more compassion for the the lady on Township Line Road because she was elderly and maybe impaired due to her age? I didn't see anyone lashing out at her like this kid is getting. The young man that was killed had his share of condolences listed, but again, nobody attacked the driver in that situation either.
My heart goes out to Merinda's family, they all lost someone that is unreplaceable to them. I also do fell bad for the kid involved as he will probably see jail time for this and he hasn't even graduated high school yet.

I also feel bad for this community who is rearing it's ugly head with all of it's condemnation and holier than thou outlook and comments regarding this tragedy. When you brush your teeth in the morning remember to look in the mirror and see who's looking back...carry that with you throughout the day. If this goes to trial and you're picked for the jury and presented with all the info, then judge away...until then a little filtering of your opinions would be appreciated. God Bless both families involved...may peace be with you.

Pamela though a story written with seemingly good intention is it not true that your son actually two of your son's are on probation and one in jail because of abuse of opiates? I only ask because you wrote a story laced with ill intention that some may view as slanderous or biased . I'm wondering how a woman with two sons currently in trouble with the law because of abusing heroin has the candor to write such a story . It is. Common knowledge and public record that your son lives at 60 Eagleville Road which is the prison address. So how then do you find yourself so high and mighty with children in trouble with the law for abusing heroin ? I get angered reading things like this . Who made you the authority? Just a little food for thought . Take inventory in your own house before pointing the finger at others .

Quite sorry . There is a known family with the mothers name as Pam Wheeler. They are despicable in their behavior. Did not think there would be two Pam Wheelers in the same area . So sorry then . Pray you never have to meet the other Wheelers .

Why is everyone fighting over this? I understand the uoset and anger but where is it getting you other than
Frustrated with eachother? I lost my best friend to a hit and run driver 7 years ago this June. That driver was found that night and was drunk and only did 2 years in jail. People do
Stupid things. Getting yourselves all worked up wNt make it better. Everyone is put on the Earth for a reason and although tragic they are also taken from this Earth. No one
Deserves it and at this point whether the kid who did
It was a jerk or not no one knows the facts so stop pointing
Fingers and arguing. Say a prayer for both of them this is a woman who is no longer here and her family who needs consoling as well as an 18 year old who regardless of his stupidity has to live in guilt yes... LIVE but guilt consumes u.

Kids think they're unstoppable in their teenage years I have been there I know it I was one of them. U don't pay attention to your surroundings and other things are always more important. We have all been there. I'm not defending
This kid but accidents do happen and taking your eyes off the road for a split second can easily change your life and we all know we're guilty of it. I'm not the mom of a teen for awhile yet... But I am a mom and never want to be out in
Either situation. And I'm sure all of you pointing the finger don't ever want to be either.