Pedestrian Hit by Car Happy to Be Alive

COLD SPRING- Kristin Bartle went for a walk on a Sunday morning, as she often does, and found herself on the hood of a car after being hit from behind.
Bartle, 31, takes a daily walk along Shunpike Road to a park on Jonathan Hoffman Road. It was a little past 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.
She had just left the park near Turdo Winery and was headed for home when a car came from behind and struck her in the back.
“On my way home, I always walk against traffic so that I can see what’s coming towards me and on my way down, I walk with traffic…” she said.
Bartle said she turned to walk home, took about 10 steps and heard a noise.
She was listening to her iPod and became aware the sound she was hearing was not part of her music collection.
“By the time I realized it, the guy came around and behind me and struck me on my back left side,” said Bartle. “I rolled over onto his hood and hit my head and broke his windshield and I landed in the street.”
She said it took her a moment to be conscious of the fact she was lying in the street.
“I was on my side and I crawled across the street to somebody’s driveway,” said Bartle. “It was right by that park, so people heard it happen.”
A neighborhood resident who recognized her called police and Bartle’s husband. She said the driver of the vehicle repeatedly asked her if he had hit her with his car.
Bartle said the driver removed something from his car and threw it into nearby woods.
An ambulance arrived and considered transporting by Medevac helicopter to the hospital.
“But then I was responsive and talking to them,” said Bartle.
She was transported initially to Cape Regional Medical Center and then to Atlanticare Trauma Center.
“I was very, very lucky,” said Bartle. “I broke three ribs, I had a concussion, I have a few stitches in my head and just all over body pain from being tossed around like a rag doll.”
Bartle was released from the hospital after a day and a half.
Lower Township Police Lt. Martin Biersbach told the Herald the vehicle’s driver, Chris McLaughlin, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Assault by Auto and drug possession charges relating to possession of prescription drugs. McLaughlin was arrested and incarcerated in the county jail under $30,000 cash bail.
Biersbach confirmed witnesses reported seeing McLaughlin bury something in the woods. He said a police report indicated pills wrapped in a tissue were found there by officers.
Bartle is the mother of two daughters, a one-year old and a four-year-old. Since being struck, she has been unable to drive and needs help caring for her one-year old daughter.
“I had some angels with me that day, that was for sure,” she said.
“I thank God I didn’t have the kids with me,” continued Bartle. “I’ll never walk that road again.”
She said she has always been wary of those texting and driving or those driving under the influence.
“I want to make people aware and cautious, you hear of this so often,” said Bartle.
On July 31 in Del Haven, two girls, 13 and 15, were killed walking on the roadside, hit by an alleged drunk driver.