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	Vol.7, No 22, October 6, 1999
	Car accident victim back in classes By Sarah LaVoie Daily Forty-Niner A Cal State Long Beach student hit by a car while crossing a street on campus last month said she is not bitter toward the driver. "Stuff like that happens," said sophomore Melani Coleman, who was struck by Khalid Taylor on Sept. 20. "I know how horrible he must feel." Coleman, who remembers only the moments just before she was hit, was heading to Lot 11 when the incident occurred in front of the Vivian Engineering Center.  She was crossing Deukmajian Way when Taylor, also a CSULB sophomore, hit her. Taylor was traveling with passenger Ammanuel Gebru to Long Beach City College for a CSULB track team practice.  Taylor was distracted when a glass roof panel, which he had stored in the rear of the vehicle, slid forward and struck him on the back of his head, he said. Coleman, who received a severe concussion, stayed overnight at Long Beach Community Memorial Hospital for observation. She is still suffering from a major laceration to her hand that needs to be checked weekly. CSULB track Head Coach Andy Sythe gave Taylor a week off from practice to recover from the trauma he received from the accident. "Now I'm trying to just move on with my life," Taylor said. Taylor, who has not spoken to Coleman since the accident, said he feels bad about the accident. "I just want her to know that I'm terribly sorry,î he said. "I hope she knows that it was an accident. If I could do anything to avoid that happening, I would have." Coleman said she was surprised by the different responses she encountered after the accident. President Robert Maxson sent a huge bouquet of flowers expressing his concern and support, she said. But her classwork has been piling up because of her absence from school. "It's been exhausting trying to catch up," said Coleman, who returned to school a week after the accident. Coleman has returned to work, where she provides child care to students at Weaver Elementary School in Los Alamitos. She will not be permitted to return to her other job as a food server at Hofís Hut because she is unable to carry items and stand on her feet for long periods of time. Coleman said she may be in and out of doctorsí offices for about a year. She said the accident has made her look at life differently. "It's one of those things that you just never think is going to happen to you," she said. "Life is too short to fight," Coleman said. "All of a sudden something like this happens and you may not have a chance to say what you meant to say." Coleman's parents have retained an attorney who will handle matters with Taylor's insurance company. Coleman said she does not plan on filing a lawsuit against Taylor.		Campus eateries recive citations Car accident victim back in classes Sci-fi writer shares life experiences Computer fair provides answers, savings Three women killed on  freeway remembered by family members Parking still major problem for students Football is not needed Dub All Stars bring history back to campus Skunk Anansie smells good State schools unite to change Big West Ice Dogs open season with tight win at home Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.