Sarah Grace Meyn

Some students at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have been struck by vehicles at the crosswalk connecting Century Park North and South, raising concerns about pedestrian safety on campus.
Bryan Ducre, a USM student, was among those injured after being hit by a vehicle at the crosswalk. The incident left him with injuries to his leg and wrist, as well as a black eye.
“I was in total shock when I got hit, and I didn’t know what to do,” Ducre said. “I was just in pain.”
Ducre said he was traveling to his dorm on a scooter when the accident occurred. He stated that he looked both ways, slowed down, and proceeded before being struck.
Rusty Keyes, USM’s associate vice president of public safety and chief of police, emphasized that both pedestrians and drivers share the responsibility of ensuring safety at crosswalks. He also noted that university policy prohibits riding bicycles or scooters through crosswalks, a rule he said many students are unaware of.
“Do not drive a bicycle or a scooter through the crosswalk,” Keyes said. “It’s a crosswalk, not for you to cross on a bike. And that keeps you safe as well as it doesn’t surprise the driver that all of a sudden you appear into a crosswalk only on a bicycle or scooter.”
USM’s Parking and Traffic Regulations state that students must dismount from their bicycles and scooters before using a crosswalk. This policy ensures students are classified as pedestrians while crossing and have the right of way.
Ducre said he was unaware of the policy until campus police informed him after the accident. He also stated that many of his peers are unfamiliar with the rule and that he still sees students riding through crosswalks daily.
Keyes said the university is working to increase awareness of crosswalk safety and compliance with traffic regulations. Discussions with the Dean of Students office have included potential safety campaigns to inform students about the policy. University officials have also considered adding speed bumps or rumble strips to the area, though no final decision has been made.
Ducre was excused from classes for a week following the accident. He credited Dr. Sirena Cantrell, the dean of students and associate vice president of student affairs, and the Moffitt Health Center for their assistance.
“I went back and thanked them for that because something else could have happened to me while I was laying out in the street,” Ducre said. “I could have gotten run over or hit again if it wasn’t for them, so I’m just so grateful that they moved my body.”
Keyes said that in addition to enforcing the dismount policy, improving pedestrian awareness—such as discouraging phone use while crossing—is critical to campus safety.
“That may be a culture change because we have new students on campus every year, especially in Century Park North, which is primarily a freshman dormitory,” Keyes said. “So, educating those freshmen on how to navigate a crosswalk and what you can and can’t do to be safe. So, a big part of it is education and an annual change.”
Ducre said he did not receive medical or mental health accommodations or compensation but felt the university provided sufficient support. He is still recovering from soreness but is catching up on schoolwork and returning to his routine.
Despite the accident, Ducre said he remains optimistic.