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Pasadena girl killed crossing Ritchie Highway

By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer

Capital Gazette Communications

Published 02/15/09

A 14-year-old girl trying to cross Ritchie Highway to get to a nearby bike trail was hit by a car and killed Friday evening.

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Ashley Nicole Meyers was on her bicycle attempting to cross Route 2 from her neighborhood at the Hamburg Street intersection at about 5:45 p.m. when she was hit. She suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical center where she was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.

County police said she was crossing the highway between cars that had stopped for the red light at the intersection of Route 2 and Pasadena Road/East West Boulevard. She went between cars in the closest lane and...

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Others are grieving too - 2009-02-18 10:46:33

My heart and sympathy go to Ashley's family. While we do not know the Meyers family, we only recently moved from Pasadena to the Eastern Shore. I still drive on that section of Ritchie everday. As much as I feel for the Meyers family's loss, I must also express my sympathy for the woman whose vehicle struck Ashley. She, too, is grieving. What a horrific thing to have to remember for the rest of your life. We should all have as much compassion for the driver as we do for Ashley's family.

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Kelly Y. - Chester, MD - Karma: Neutral

Crystal Davis BF's - 2009-02-18 09:54:34

Ashley was My best Friend I moved to FL last year and was moving to WV last summer on our move we stoped in MD were we lived for 11 years and hung out with my BFF and old boyfriend Devon Stevens and we went over Ashley's house to see if she wanted to play soccer or something she did as always and we had a wounderful time I will always cherish her outgoing personality and We both I miss her very much she always would go over Devon's house almost every Saturday to watch Naruto with him Devon said "She is in a better place (chowking up)" Ashley we all miss you and I wish I could have spent more time with you remember never take life for granted thats when you lose it Ashley never did but we will all miss you

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Crystal Davis - Terra Alta, WV - Karma: Neutral

Remember - 2009-02-17 12:16:01

In the end, a family has lost a part of itself. Bless the whole family, and may others take something away from this terrible tragedy so that she did not die in vain.

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Stephanie Riley - Arnold, MD - Karma: Good

Ashley - 2009-02-17 08:25:57

I live across the street on the bike trail side and this horrific accident has affected our small community in several different ways. Yes why was she crossing a so dangerous highway and dusk. We will never no that reason or her decision to do this. But what we do know is that her family needs our support. It was not to long ago (3 years) that my son was hit by a car. It was a hit and run (which she was never caught). Fortunately for me and my family his injuries were not that bad. But had I know my son was riding a bike with know brakes would I had let him do that, of course not. We trust our children to make the right decisions. We can preach to them till their blue in the face, but if they do not listen to us their more less on their own to make their own decesion. Unfortunately for Ashley this was not the best decesion. I have been praying for this family. My son has even been praying alot cause he knew that could have been him. I hope that there are kids out there reading all these comments. Parenting isn't easy and we do our best. But it is up to YOU to listen to us and trust our judgement. We say and do things to protect you and prepare you for the future. What you do with it is your choice but be smart about it and always try and think of the consequences. My heart goes out to this family and I will continue to pray for you as the weeks go on.

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K. Montgomery - pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

Ashley - 2009-02-16 22:21:53

Please keep your comments respectful of Ashley and her family. This is not the time to be judgemental about the parents. Remember when you were 14 yrs old? I know I broke rules too. This was an awful, painful accident and the family needs our support and kindness right now. It is inappropriate and cruel to condemn the parents about their parenting skills at a time when they just lost their child because of an accident.
Ashley is with the angels now and God bless her and her family and give them the courage and strength to deal with this loss. And God bless those who are passing judgement, soften their hearts so that they can feel the light and goodness of his mercy.

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Jean N. - Millersville, MD - Karma: Neutral

ashley </3 - 2009-02-16 22:21:44

i have known her and her family sense i was 5. they live up the street from me. ashley was always doing want she wanted, i KNOW that her family would NEVER let her cross that street ! so please do not critize them ! you dont know them ! ashley was a wonderful girl ! she would always make you smile no matter what. she was always getting kids around the neighborhood to go and ride bikes or something like that. my life will be so different now that i wont be able to see her get on the buss or see her walk over the hill to go to her bus stop. i havent talked to her much but when ever i did talk to her i would always luagh. when i was little she would always come to my house and we would play together, i really miss that cause now i know that i wont be able to talk to her again. i dont know how im going to be able to get on the buss tomrrow and not see her get on after me, or how im going to face deven or billy, or anybody. i really truly miss ashley and i dont care who knows that ! ashley was my bestfriend for most of elementary school. my life has changed so much already because of this incidant.

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jenna j. - pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

She is my sister... - 2009-02-16 20:25:22

First off, thank you for those who are showing support for my family in this tough time. Its been very hard for us all, especially for my parents, Im sure. Im really going to miss her. Its definitely not going to be the same without her...

As for the comments about what my parents were thinking when they let her cross the highway, they DIDN'T! She was never allowed to cross it, my parents and I prohibited it. I always told her to stay away from it, my sister never really liked to listen to me. She convinced us that she would be somewhere else, nowhere near the highway. We always knew the dangers of it and we would of never wanted to risk this happening. We are not stupid.

Ashley always made her own decisions. Although many of her decisions were based off of our thoughts and ideas, she still acted upon from what SHE wanted to do and what she thought would be acceptable of her own behavior. Do not judge the parenting skills, judge the fact that everybody, doesnt matter how young or old, will make their own decisions and will be affected by them.

Thank you and again, thank you all for your support and condolences.

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Autumn M. - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

Ashley - 2009-02-16 13:31:39

I feel very bad for this family, but I can't imagine what this mother is thinking for allowing her child to cross such a busy highway. Let alone the fact that you are not even allowed on the bike trail after dusk. This 14 year old girl was alone, heading for the bike trail at 6pm at night? I can't imagine crossing ritchie highway during the day let alone at dusk. I live off Hamburg street on the bike trail side and never allowed my children to cross ritchie hwy or even let them be on the bike trail at night. I would suggest anyone in that area trying to cross ritchie hwy to get to the bike trail at least do it at the light at Pasadena Rd and Ritchie hwy, it might a little safer.
I am very sorry for your loss, God Bless your family.

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C. Herron - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

Pass the buck... - 2009-02-16 11:09:37

The parents were livid?...not at themselves??? The loss of a child is SO tragic, my heart goes out to them, no one should ever feel that pain. I know that part of Ritchie Hwy very well... and there is a reason that there is no crosswalk or pedestrian crossing!! It's a HIGHWAY!! Why is a 14 year old child being permitted by her parents to cross? And you know that this must be something of a habit she must have had, this is not the first time she ever crossed. It's ridiculous to point fingers and blame the county, etc., when it really comes down to the parents who let their child cross a 4-6 lane highway on a daily basis. I agree, that area of Ritchie hwy is probably the worst, I have even gotten hit there in a fender bender, but I mean really, there are signs warning about the upcoming light, the speed limit is set... people just need to pay attention. I can't imagine, as a parent, looking the other way and not taking drastic measures the FIRST time I suspected my child was crossing a dangerous highway.

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Giselle L. - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral