" I knew this was going to happen someday. I cant tell you how many times I have looked out my front door on a residential street to see a cop car zooming by at least 50mph. I would always say so glad the kids were inside because they would cross the street many times to play. There is know way a child would see these cars coming at that high rate of speed. If its an emergency I feel sirens and lights are in order. I hate to see the police race down my street at that rate of speed and then get to the corner, stop at the light and then caring on as if there was no emergency. I feel sorry for officer May, hitting someone will be with you for the rest of your life. I think we need to have the Police chief take a look into this one. "

" Let us not refer to Jena is past tense. May God be letting her rest so he can do some healing in her and maybe even in some of us. Jena is still with us and unless God calls her home, she still is sweet and liked by everyone. Also let us not forget officer May. I'm sure Jena is heavy on her mind at this time also. Amen "

" While this is a terrible thing, please remember that you can't just step into the street without a reasonable expectation that a 2.5 ton car will just stop for you. I really hope this doesn't devolved into a police vs. the rest of the people thing. Police don't need their emergency lights on all the time just as soldiers have regulations about wearing BDUs in public when not on duty. It incites unrest. "

" Speeds should slow down for Police in this town. The chief constantly says he needs more officers, but what does that mean. You can only handle what you can with what you got. The only reason for speeding what that a fellow officer needed backup. Assisting an officer vs. causing something else to happen is not the best solution. This is not different from stopping a car chase when the public could get hurt. "

" If this was a civilian I'm positive he/she would get some kind of charge against them. There should be no difference with law enforcement. This is an event which could have been easily avoided if neglegence was factored out. "

" What reasons do officers run their lights and sirens and on what occasions do they not? We don't know exactly how this young girl was hit, but it seems to me that officers should have the same expectations that other drivers have, which is to travel at the posted speed. When travelling to respond to an emergency situation, like for back-up, wouldn't you expect that the officer ran the lights and sirens especially since she was speeding? "

" My question with regard to this "house party" is was there alcohol involved? A bunch of teenagers crossing in the middle of the street in the middle of the night sounds like alcohol was involved to me. Were blood tests conducted at the hospital? What were the results? Regardless of whether the officer was responding to a call is irrelevant. If the kids had been consuming alcohol and were crossing in the middle of the street in the middle of the night, they are asking for trouble. In fact, even if alcohol was not involved, this was simply a tragic accident. Not all accidents should result in some terrible punishment. "

" we're praying jena! lots of love! "

" If it was a civilian, yes, they would likely have been charged with a traffic infraction. However, Lincoln municipal code almost completely exempts police officers (and all emergency vehicles) from having to obey any trafic laws while in performance of their duties. As for not running with lights and sirens, there are many cases when police need to get somewhere quickly, but also silently (trying to catch a burglar red-handed is among the numerous reasons.) Before condemning the police, remember that their speeding doesn't absolve others from verifying it is safe to cross the street before jumping into traffic. Even better, contact the police department and go on a "ride-along" (if the LPD offers them, I know other departments do and I have gone on them myself to become more informed about police work) before judging the police too harshly. "

" sometimes sirens and lights aren't on so police are able to surprise the perp they are sneaking up on. second, pedestrians do not have right of way, you cant just step into the street and expect cars to stop on a dime for you. dont get me wrong I feel horrible for this young lady and her family and also for the officer involved but I love how people complain that cops dont respond fast enough to help them then turn around and complain about how fast they drive. "

" First of all, I am praying for the recovery of Jena. This is a sad situations. Second, for all of these comments against the police... Police do not always have to have their emergency lights on, it all depends on the situation/nature of the call. This officer did have her headlights on; you cannot tell me that, at night, you cannot see a car coming with its headlights on. Third, Jena did cross in the middle of the street, right in front of the police car. Finally, for all of you who comment on police slowing down... you will be the first people to complain that the police didn't arrive fast enough when YOU need them. The police will always get heat for something they did or didn't do. It gets old. How about we all support our law enforcement and keep Jena in our prayers... you don't see the family complaining about the police! "

" CS, I am sure that Jena wouldn't have "expected" a 2.5 ton car to stop for her had she heard the sirens or seen the lights before the police officer came blazing through the intersection. This all can be solved by making it a requirement for police to do the smart thing. Put their sirens on, at the very least, their emergency lights when going responding to a call like this. ESPECIALLY in residential areas! Who cares about the element of surprise the police might have-this poor girl did NOT deserve to get suprised like that-alcohol or no alcohol. I'm not saying it wasn't an accident, that is obviously true-but it could have been prevented. I am so sorry for the family, and just to let you know, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Coming from family members that know her, it sounds like she is a very wonderful person. "

" My question is to "Concerned Parent," no where in this article does it say that it was a "house party." It's not fair to anyone involved to jump to conclusions, and assume. How horrible for both Officer May and for Jena. Officer May was simply doing her job, I'm fairly certain there are rules for police to follow about when the lights and sirens can be activated, and her intentions were to get to her call, and do her duty as a police officer. You can't assume that Jena had been drinking or that she been at a "house party" and if that's what the situation turns out to be, I think at this point that becomes fairly irrelevant. I think thoughts and prayers for Jena and for Officer May should be first and foremost on everyones mind. "

" It was NOT a bunch of teenagers crossing in the middle of the street. There were TWO teenagers! The others were of the age of majority. The "kids" were NOT consuming alcohol! You are correct when you say it is a tragic accident; however, in another instance, an adult member of my family was almost hit by a police cruiser driving in excess of the speed limit with no emergency lights or sirens in use. While the article states May stayed at the scene with the victim, was she really "with" the victim? I think not! "

" Actually, I've just done some research and typically, drivers (civilians) who have hit people or children mid-block are typically *not* charged (unless they were DUI) for any traffic infraction. I was told that's why there's a law against jay walking, because vehicles can't just stop mid block if somebody steps out, and there's numerous occasions where drivers haven't been charged, nor should they be. Conversely, who of us hasn't crossed mid block? Hundreds and thousands of times? My heart goes out to everybody involved. Sometimes it truly is *an accident* and there's no need to try and place blame or point fingers. All we should do is send our heartfelt support and prayers to all involved. "

" Passing blame is not going to help anyone - Jena, her family, her friends, or the police officer. Knowing Jena and her family, that is not what they need or want. Our thoughts and prayers will do a lot more for her than anything else. "

" This is a very unfortunate accident. I stress the word accident. As for the people blaming the cops, cops do not have to have lights and sirens going. They have three degrees of responding. Code 1 is without lights and sirens. Code two is lights on. Code three is lights and sirens. I hope so recovers and gets well soon but you can not blame the cop for this unfortunate accident. "

" My heart goes out to the 18 year old and her family, but do not try to blame the police. If she stepped out from between two cars, she was not in a crosswalk, and would have struck by any vehicle going 40mph. There are situations where officers can't use red lights and sirens, as it can escalate the situation. I hope she has quick recovery, and I hope this doesn't prevent Officer May from doing her job. "

" Pedestrians have the right of way in the cross walk. "

" Use the sirens! That is what they are for! So people see you coming! "

" Ofc.May and Jena you are both in my prayers, may God bless you and give you and your family and friends the strenght to get you all through these trying times. You are not alone. Amen. "

" Officers in Lincoln travel at too high rate of speed with out their lights flashing. I understand that they don't want to alert perpetrators of their arrival but they must use common sense. I have see this too many times on my street and unfortunatley knew something like this was going to occur. Pedestrian's Always Have The Right Of Way. I support our law enforcement, but they must act responsibly. "

" What difference does it make whether or not there was alcohol at this party? How does that make this less of a tragic accident? And how can you say that this girl was "asking for it" by stepping out into the street. What if it was your child? You would certainly be looking for someone to blame and it wouldn't be your daughter. Nor would you be asking about blood tests being done at the hospital while your childs life hangs in the balance. You should be ashamed. "

" Okay, so it's okay for pedestrians to step out in front of vehicles??? Isn't there any responsibility of the pedestrian here??? "

" I understand that the police have some advantages to a sneak attach. However, it seems that if they were heading to Van Dorn they were some distance from their destination. If they were speeding they could have had their lights on until reaching a safe distance before turning them off. This would have saved Miss Van Groningen and others. Since Jenna was following others why didn't the police see them and slow or turn on lights or something at that point. The people crossing would not assume that a car would be traveling at that speed. Crossing in a cross walk or in the middle of the street would not have allowed for the speed. I support our officers and the job they do but they have the same responsibilities I have when I make a decision to speed. The safety of others should always come first. Maybe it's time to evaluate the "No Light" regulations. None of these people would have crossed if the lights would have been on. My thoughts and prayer are with Jena, her Family and Friends and the officiers involved. "

" I drove a school bus for many years. I remember an officer zooming past my STOP arm as a young boy, about 7 years old, was crossing the street. She nearly hit him and just went on her merry way. She had no light or sirens on and was traveling the posted limit so there was no urgency. .just plain negligence. She never stopped to check on the young boy. I'm not saying this officer was negligent. I myself nearly hit a some kid just the other night. He was at least a teen and came out of nowhere as I was traveling down North 33rd. I bet he was no more than a foot from my driver door. Caught me by total surprise. It wasn't until I was able to look in my rear view that I saw him running across the street. \ Anyway, my point is it could have been negligence or just unavoidable. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, continue to lift Jena up to the Lord and pray for officer May. "

" Lincolnites complain so much, there is nothing right anyone can do in this town. There is always something whine about. Let's pass an ordinance that says "anytime a police cruiser speeds, lights and sirens must be running at all times". How many people are going to come on here and complain about sirens blarring at all times of the night. The worlds not perfect people. "

" I didn't know people can see sirens. How about use the lights so people can see you coming and sirens so people can hear you? Besides if it is dark and a car is coming with it's headlights on, I think you could see it. "

" Blame the police... typical. Ever heard of look both ways? "

" Do you know that Officer May was not "with" her? Where do you get your information from? Were you there? Perhaps everyone should wait for facts before condemning either the office or Jena. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I do not live in Lincoln. Almost all the posts I see regarding any article on this website are negative. Judge not. "

" It's not like this officer was in a residential neighborhood and was supposed to be going 25 mph. She was on 48th street, a major street in Lincoln. What's the speed limit there? 40? 35? How many people go the actual posted speed limit? I don't think that the officer should be blamed here, she was doing her job and it's an unfortunate thing that happened. Why can't we just move on with our lives? Why must people try to find that bad in every situation. Learn from things and move on. "

" It used to be that any vehicle was not considered to be an emergency vehicle unless both the red lights and siren were activated. Even in those circumstances, the driver was required to exercise due caution towards other vehicles and pedestrians, i.e. the driver wasn't allowed to violate a traffic signal at any speed without regard to cross traffic. Has this changed changed? "

" I think this is a sad event, but I see no reason to point fingers and place blame when it is not our place. My prayers go out to Jena's family as well as to the officer. Can you imagine living with yourself after hitting a person and sending them into a coma? I don't think that punishment is warrented to either party. None of us really know what happened so we shouldn't be judging. Just pray- pray for the persons affected and pray for God's will in the situation. "

" WTF ever happened to "pedestrians always have the right of way"? This is a terrible tragedy, and I hope the young woman recovers quickly and fully. I also hope that the local prosecuting attorney(s) will charge the motorist (in this case a police officer) who hit the young woman just as they would any other citizen. Perhaps seeing one of their own lose her career (felons can't be cops, can they?) and some time in jail will slow down the rest of the police cruisers screaming down our residential streets for no substantial reason... "

" alway's interesting to read the comment's people make on here when ever the new's is about the Lincoln Police or a Judge or anyone like that. Man there alot of negative people out there.... "

" Read the State Statutes on definition of "Emergency Vehicle"[60-6,114]. In order for the cruiser to operate as an emergency vehicle, they must have their lights and sirens activated. The emergency vehicle may(ii) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life, limb, or property. "

" I pray Jenna recovers. Unfortunately we can't dismiss the fact that at 12:30 a.m. an intoxicated (yes, ask the people with her and those at the party she just left) young woman made a bad decision and stepped out into traffic. Everyone makes bad decisions, but we have to be take responsibility for the consequences. If only she would have not have stepped out. "

" I am absolutely mortified by the negative comments posted on here by fellow residents of our city. Jena Van Groningen is a beautiful, genuine and compassionate woman whose life is on the line. Who is to blame or if alcohol is involved are the last things anyone should be worrying about right now. Jena is struggling to live at this point. Ask yourselves, if this was your child, your sister, your neice, your grandchild, how would you feel about people posting such idiotic comments and trying to place blame or argue? Treat others as you would like to be treated. Please have some respect for all of those involved. Jena we love you and are praying for your recovery. Officer May, you and your family are in our prayers. "

" Hey "rediculous". There already is a law that say anytime a police cruiser speeds, lights and sirens must be running. That's kind of strange when you think about it. LPD speeds past me all the time without their lights and siren. Once I followed them at the speed limit and they met another officer for coffee at Village Inn. "

" First acoording to the police report the officer was doing 45 in a 35mph zone. In my opinion speeding should, should, require emergency lights. It is not known what the LPD policy is. Seconed, there were three other individuals on one side of the street or the other, not counting the one that was struck by the car. When any driver is alert to people in a close proximity to the street it makes clear sense to slow down. Both which this officer did not do. See or slow did not happen and as a result the person is nearly killed. The city should be held for all expenses and I wish the best to the family in recovering in this reckless accident. "

" Tom, you are wrong. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way unless they are in a crosswalk. Besides emergency vehicles have the right of way. There isn't any mention of her being in a crosswalk. Leisam, how can a person miss seeing a police vehicle coming down the street with the emergency lights activated? "

" I dont think it matters at all whose fault this is, I think we should all just pray for Jena to recover. We shouldnt sit here and debate about who is at fault. We should all be hoping this ends with a happy ending and not a sad one. "

" It says right in the article no sirens or emergency lights were on. I pray this young lady has a full recovery. "

" Mike-former Lincoln cop, the last time I ready the city regs, the pedestrian does always have the right-of-way IF the vehicle has enough time/distance to stop. I suppose they regs could have changed recently. I'm too lazy to check & cite - much like everyone else in this thread (Bill excepted). "

" Well first of all, Jena was intoxicated enough to impair her judgement and reflexes. This you will see in follow up news reports. She entered a main arterial road with out looking both ways, and was not in an intersection. LPD was responding, 45 mph in a 35? Oh well, as do many other random people any any given time. And motorvehicle homicide is a misdermeanor (sp?) Let this go! "

" I think that every one should quit pointing fingers and stop blaming people when they dont even know the whole situation! So you all should just shut up and pray!! Pay for a girls life that is dangling in the hands of God right now! I dont care if it was officer May's fault or if it was Jena's fault or if it was just simply an accident! Jena is struggling to hang on right now so every one just quit talking about things they know nothing about andd pray that Jena makes it though this! She is a VERY dear friend of mine and i love her to death! My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and yours should be too! "

" Jena get well soon I'll be praying for you! "

" WOW, this town is amazing! Fed up, maybe you should read some law books. Motor vehicle homicides are not all felonies, and as this is currently an injury accident it would be a misdemeanor not matter what. AND tickets are not always issued right away, as there are lengthy investigations that go into these kinds of wrecks. If someone is cited right away for a misd injury accident, go to court, enter a plea and then the person dies, you CANNOT go back and recharge them for a motor veh homicide. AND, if you have ever been in an accident the insurance companies assign FAULT and a lot of the time it will go as a percentage to both parties. As for those that feel pedestrians have the right of way no matter what. WOW, try having that one work downtown Lincoln, before and after Husker football! I bet you would be the first to complain about all the PEDESTRIAN traffic and why they are walking wherever they want. There are crosswalks for a reason. As for the concerned parent who really thinks there are only a few minors who go to parties, WOW, i bet you think your kids cant do anything wrong either. I think people in our city need to realize that bad things really do happen here. CRIME happens, drugs happen, homicides happen, ACCIDENTS happen and ect. If you want to go live in a perfect town, I guess you better go live out in the middle of nowhere by yourself, then it can be just the way you want it to be. As for those that say lets stop the whining, RIGHT ON. As for those that think cops are speeding to get to coffee and for their own good, well maybe some are, maybe some were in the middle of going to a call and got called off. Unless you are in that car with them listening to dispatch on the radio, how are you to know. Why dont we all back off and remember they are there to uphold the laws that are made by the politicians, they dont make them, they just have the unfortunate task of enforcing them. AND they are there to protect US. Every last one of US no matter what. On that note, my prayers are with Jena and her family. "

" Emergency vehicle? "Casady said the cruiser’s headlights were on but not the emergency lights and siren." Do we know she wasn't in a crosswalk? "

" I was at the party in question and EVERYONE was drinking, including Jenna and the people she was with (and me). My parents always told me that stupid things happen when you make stupid choices. I guess they were right. "

" As the son of a state trooper, I remember hearing constant complaints of the LPD regs in which most calls are responded to with no lights and sirens unless they are entering an intersection with a red light. At that point they turn the sirens on for a brief second before entering and then turn them off after the intersection is cleared. A valid point was made by Leisa, the vast majority of the time LPD does not need to maintain stealth, at least not until a few blocks to say a mile or two away. In almost every response call the officer travels farther than this and could simply notify the public of his intenetions by sounding the lights and sirens. This policy IS unique as far as local law enforcement goes and has proven to be controversial in the past. Unfortunately no initiative of foresight was used to prevent this tragic accident. "

" yall this aint no ones fault.. it was an accident someone is dying... we need to stop pointing fingers and look at what is happenening.. lets make it through this together, accidents happen no one is perfect.... "

" A couple of people in this column have the right idea. Is it Jena's fault?? Is it Amanda's fault?? At this point, I can tell you the family doesn't care. There are two people out there that are hurting. Jena from her injuries, and Amanda from the experience. Pointing fingers serves no purpose. Let's use that energy to pray for two people who need our support. "

" Why can't people STOP blaming this person and that person and saying this should have been done or that should have been done. Does no ever make mistake's or have accident's. I am sure the police officer feel's bad enough and I think if you need to make ANY comment's at all it should be positive one's in regard's to hopeing she get's better and that is it. This could have happened to ANY of us, so please stop being so rude and nasty on here. "

" I heard that something had happened to her but I didn't know what exactly. That's quite sad I didn't know her personally but I went to school with her. I hope she gets better. "

" State Statute 60-610: 'Authorized emergency vehicle shall mean such fire department vehicles, police vehicles, and ambulances as are publicly owned and such other publicly or privately owned vehicles as are designated by the Director of Motor Vehicles.' Looks like the LPD car qualifies as an emergency vehicle even when its lights and sirens are not activated. "

" Lincoln Municipal Code 10.30.010 -- "No pedestrial shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk upon any arterial street." I'm not blaming anyone an empathize with EVERYONE that has been affected by this ACCIDENT. I'm just sick of all the postings on here by people that are CLUELESS as to the laws/ordinances in this town. Stop complaining and get informed!!! "

" Everyone tryin to blame people on here are all very heartless people!! Who cares whos fault it is!! People do make mistakes! The important thig is that a young, beautiful girl's life is on the line here! And i cant even imagine the guilt and sadness the officer is feeling!! They were both just at the wrong place at the wrong time. If it wasnt an officer would this be so controversial? Or if Jena wouldnt have been just leaving a party would people not be saying it was her fault. People just need to stop blaming other people!! It happened! All we can do now is pray for the families of the two girls. And especailly for a full recovery for Jena!! I am a very close friend to Jena. How would her family feel if they read some of these posts. It personally made me sick to my stomach. People just need to get over THEMSELVES and start caring for the people who are injured, or going thru hell right now. Nobody should be worried if the officer gets tickted or whatever. We need to be with Jena so she makes it thru this. So i suggest that every1 gets a heart and only posts prayers and good thoughts for both of the families in this time of need! "

" all of you who complain about the speed in which LPD drive to a call would quickly change your tue if you were the person who needed help. "

" My first knowledge of this incident came tonight (12/4) when I saw a flyer for a benefit for Jena. Although I do not know her, I will attend and lend what support I can, and hope many in our community will as well.

The purpose of a benefit is to get help from the communtiy in instances where help is direly needed. Without pointing fingers or placing blame on the LPD, is there a member of our community who feels the LPD should not be compelled to, although not necessarily obligated to, ensure this young lady is not without any necessary medical treatment? "