x
Breaking News
More () »

Arkansas woman run over by car on Halloween urges safety ahead of holiday

As kids are gearing up for an exciting night of trick-or-treating tomorrow, one Arkansas woman is urging safety ahead of Halloween.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — We're in the midst of spooky season, and kids are putting the finishing touches on their Halloween costumes as they gear up for an exciting night of trick-or-treating.

Drivers and families going door-to-door have to stay alert, though.

One Arkansas woman is still recovering from a Halloween accident that happened to her 10 years ago and she hopes people will make good decisions before getting behind the wheel.

"I've spent 10 years, I'm still recovering," Jennifer Rowton explained.

October 31, 2013, is a day that changed her life.

That night a woman ran over Rowton over with her car while she was trick-or-treating with her kids. 

"I have had multiple surgeries; I will have more surgeries. The financial impact is unbelievable. And just the going into physical therapy, the pain involved in that you have to do is unreal," Rowton described.

Rowton said her family was trick-or-treating in the Quail Ridge Estates neighborhood in Hot Springs when she checked on a woman who had driven into a tree and tried to stop her from hitting anybody and doing any more damage. 

The driver, Twila Watson was driving drunk with two kids in the car. 

"She drove up my leg and across me. And then she threw it in reverse and went backwards. And it rolled me under the car," Rowton said.

Today, Rowton still feels the pain physically and mentally and Halloween just hasn't been the same for her and her family. 

"I've never considered myself to have PTSD. But I do and my children do. It doesn't come out in the same ways as what you think about. It comes out when you're in a parking lot. And you hear a car coming that sounded like that car," she explained.

She encourages all those who are getting out on Tuesday night to make good choices and pay extra attention to their surroundings. 

It's a message the Bryant Police Department also echoes.

"If you're going to be in these neighborhoods driving, slow down. I mean, when I say slow down, I'm saying go under the speed limit," Sergeant Todd Crowson said.

Sergeant Crowson also said you should never drive after drinking. 

"Please don't be drinking and driving on Halloween night, any night, particularly, you know.  But particularly Halloween night because you do have a lot more kids, and there is a lot more traffic out, level foot traffic out. So if you need a designated driver, use one," He added.

"It changes how you look at everything in your life. Because of one person's bad decision, one time," Rowton said.

Sergeant Crowson also encourages parents to put reflective gear on their children's Halloween costumes so drivers can see them better in the dark.

Before You Leave, Check This Out