A car hit a University of Wisconsin-Madison student while she was biking near East Campus Mall and West Johnson Street on her way to class Monday morning, leaving her hospitalized with a fractured back.
UW-Madison junior Stephanie Castillo, who is a reporter at The Daily Cardinal, said she was at the south end of West Johnson Street crossing toward East Campus Mall at approximately 9:45 a.m. when a car struck her.
Castillo said she was “somewhat in a hurry” when she crossed the intersection and entered the street when she observed most of the cars were slowing down for a yellow light.
The Madison Fire Department responded to the scene, and she was transported to the University of Wisconsin Hospital by MFD paramedics, according to MFD spokesperson Lori Wirth.
UW-Madison junior Erick Diaz, who is Castillo’s boyfriend, said a nurse told him Castillo hit and shattered the windshield of the car, which was traveling at approximately 20 miles per hour.
Castillo told the paramedics to call Diaz while she was in the ambulance, and he met her at the hospital.
Castillo also said she does not remember hitting the windshield and said the crash happened “really fast.”
“I sort of remember being above the ground and then all of a sudden I was on the ground,” Castillo said. “It hurt, but it wasn’t excruciating pain.”
Castillo said a spinal surgeon will check her back Tuesday. An orthopedic surgeon resident told her Monday it is unlikely she will need surgery, although she will need to wear a back brace indefinitely.
