Pantagraph.com | News | Bradley University student dies after pushed into traffic

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

poster wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:29 PM:

" I think every negative person on here should take a minute and really think abotu casting stones from glass houses. You have no right to judge unless you can honestly say that you ahve never done anything that maybe could have resulted in harm. Speeding, jaywalking, driving while on the cell phone? If you arent perfect keep your ideas to yourself. ANd to whoever said why were they playing by the street? obviously youwere never intelligent enought o go to college. How do you think college students travel?? Seriously people grow up and have just a small amount of respect. "

grumpy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:59 PM:

" Yes happy one : This very well could have been another sidewalk tackle and head hit. But it was a pushing and a car. BUT ! Both were the same as they were very good friends who wouldn't ever think of hurting each other. This was a accident all the way. He was charged with reckless conduct. I still don't believe that , that is
warrented. An accident is an accident. Reckless conduct would be if they were walking along and Brandon just pushed him out of nowhere. But since both were pushing it's an accident. All charges should be dropped and let the boy get some consouling as he will take this loss just the same as if loosing his brother. My family's hearts go out to both family's.

Pontiac native also ! "

happy one wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:30 PM:

" feel sorry for the young man who has to live with this accident- his friend is gone and he was partially responsible for it. They were goofing off , it was a accident.If anyone remembers this kind of accident happened at ISU a few years ago- the friend hit his head on sidewalk when they were horseplaying ,they thought he was ok but he died later from head injury .It was also a tragic accident. "

berry wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:31 PM:

" My sincere sympathy goes out to everyone envolved in this accident. However I was wondering about the driver of the car. Nothing is mentioned anywhere about the driver. If these boys were "walking down the street" and "pushing and shoving" was going on, was the driver alert and aware of the surroundings?? I would think you would have seen these adult sized boys pushing and shoving and maybe taken some type of defensive action like moving into the other lane or slowing down and flashing your lights or something. It happened in town, speed limit about 35mph, should maybe have been time to respond??? I don't know I wasn't there. Just a question I had.. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:31 PM:

" This is an extreme tragedy. My prayers go out to both families. we need to start teaching our children about personal responsibilty and explain that while goofing off bad stuff can and does happen. But serioussly Involuntary manslaughter? Do we really need to put this kid in prison for a simple mistake? I know I've personally "body checked" my friends into things before (never moving traffic) but something bad could have happened. This is a tragedy and needs to be handled as such. Let the dead rest and don't keep rehashing his death by prosecuting a good friend of his. "

friend of dona's wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:16 PM:

" I can't believe all these comments. College does make you smarter. This has nothing to do with that. This has to do with guys just goofing around. It was a total accident. I think if y ou weren't there you need to keep your comments to your self. The stupid comments being made only hurt the family and their friends.
I know both boys they have been the best of friends for years. I know Brandon didn't mean to do this. He has a heart and I know he will have to live with this guilt for the rest of his life. So, keep the comments to your self. These families are going through enough with out all these comment. Maybe some of you need to go to college to get smarter. You need common sense too. Accidents happen and yes this was a bad one. No one thought the night would turn out like it did. "

allday wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:34 PM:

" I graduated with him...and Rob love you...this is a tradegy and screw off 2 cents and all thoose common sence posts get a life! "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:50 PM:

" What does being in college & how smart you are have to do with this? Horseplay happens everywhere with everyone. Maybe it was avoidable but even if the kid wasn't drinking, people (especially young men) joke around and wrestle and push. There is no reason to make negative comments about common sense and college doesn't make you smarter. These could have been (2) 50 year old men having a laugh and one of them could have stepped off a curb accidentally and been struck. The poor kid who jokingly pushed him was probably his best friend and is probably dying inside!!! Have a heart people!!! "

Gunner wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:50 PM:

" Sad thing to see. Goes without saying the booze needs to be kept in check. My heart goes out to all involved. "

Thoughts a Million wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:49 AM:

" To Floyd: there are more than enough professors to teach common sense. However, this is the parent's role. Once a person is 18, they should know right from wrong, and it's not a teacher's job to do that. "

collegestudent3 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:55 AM:

" RIP Rob....and my thoughts and prayers are with both the Hurts' and the Gish's families. I knew them both and my heart aches when I think about it.
and regarding a few comments:
College does make one smarter. and when we are at college...if we want to go somewhere, walking is probably the best mode of transportation. I can't believe some of the comments people are making..it truly makes me sick. "

indian05 wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:46 AM:

" I have grown up with both of these boys for as long as i can remember, and their families...sunday school mostly....These are great boys who loved life, were amazing friends, and had the kindest of hearts. I pray for both families, they are in this together and for the law and justice to come between the grief that is taking place....as much as I understand the necessity of it all, It hurts to know that its all adding to both families grief. "

college student wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:49 AM:

" this is such a sad story! and a very unfortunate accident! my thoughts and prayers go out to both families! i know brandon very well and i know he is hurting so much! he never ever ever would have meant for this to happen! "

More to add .... wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:48 AM:

" Horseplay among boys, big and small, is everywhere. Haven't you seen little boys on the playground goofing around and pushing for fun? A serious injury could happen there too, so should we forbid all playground activity forever? For those wanting wanting to condemn horseplay, I would think you would not want to live in a world that encourages no horseplay of any kind. Clowning around is natural, and shows that these boys loved life and wanted to have fun. No harm is intended from clowning around amongst friends. I agree with packerfan4ever that this was a mistake, a serious one, but a mistake. Blame can not be placed on "college kids" and "horseplay" in general. Accidents can happen to anyone. That's what is so unfortunate. My sympathies to everyone involved. I also hope that the charges are minor. One life is lost, and there's no need to lose another. "

In the Know wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:45 AM:

" I hope the state's attorney has a kind heart. One family is already in grief, and one will have to live with this for the rest of his life. I hope the charges are minor and not felonies so he can live what normal life he can. "

whatevercple wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:15 AM:

" my sympathy to the family for there loss. I have kids who are getting there in age to go to college, sometimes i think that I would rather they went to the forces then to college, for at least they have a chance of dying for there friends, family, country, rather then something such as this or a gunman shooting them up. Ones life is taken and anothers ruined, and for WHAT? "

DonH wrote on Mar 10, 2008 8:12 AM:

" So sorry to hear this. What a strange story. What were they doing out playing by the street? I thought they were in college. "

the dispeptic skeptic wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:30 AM:

" Children from a very young age into their teenage years don't learn about the consequences frivolous actions can have; how one moment in time can forever change your future, and the future of those around you.

One sees this kind of horseplay every single day, and the mentality of "it could never happen to me" saturates our consiousness. By the time we realize "it CAN happen to me", it is too late. How often do we read that otherwise good people, in a moment of stupidity, or anger, or drunkenness do something so uncharatcteristic, with dreadful consequences?

We must all take time to reflect on our actions, and the consequences that can come from witlessness. "

4moore wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:10 AM:

" These 2 were very good friends. I'm sure Brandon is hurting right now and would do anything to bring his friend back! My heart goes out to both families. I will keep you all in my prayers. "

zs wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:04 AM:

" hey packerfan4ever - A mistake would be something like forgetting to turn the furnace down before you leave for work. A mistake would be running out of gas in your car because you were not paying attention. However, pushing a friend into traffic (whether you are intoxicated or not) does NOT qualify as a 'mistake' in my books.

Crappy situation for both families, downplaying this incident as a 'mistake' wont force people to THINK the next time they are out walking around campus. "

Annienap wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:14 AM:

" I am so sorry for this family's loss. Horseplay in serious stuff and when alcohol is added to it, it can get much more serious. Students who partake should be expelled and never allowed to return. I feel the same way about drugs. Call me an old fuddy duddy at 59 if you like, but this is the way I feel. This is such a sad, SAD story! "

mizer wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:14 AM:

" Wow...what a friend... "

A Friend wrote on Mar 10, 2008 12:12 AM:

" My heartfelt sympathy to both families and the student body of Bradley. Out of respect to the grieving families would posters please refrain from insensative comments that may bring more hurt. Too often comments made about tragic stories have a way of causing pain to the people closest to the story. Thank you. "

yeah wrote on Mar 9, 2008 11:06 PM:

" r.i.p. "

packerfan4ever wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:50 PM:

" wow, that's really sad, sorry to both families. And hey 2 cents- EVERYONE makes
mistakes. "

paperdoll wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:33 PM:

" My sincere sympathy to Donna and her family. I have a son in college and I am afraid every time the phone rings. No words can describe the pain this family must be going through. I can only hope your faith will allow you to move forward. My son was on the golf team and worked at the Elks golf course with this fine young man. My heart aches for them. "

floyd wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:24 PM:

" There should be a mandatory course on common sense at all Universities but I doubt there's a professor smart enough to teach it and it appears students wouldn't get it anyway. Sad how this is the second tragedy at Bradley in less than a year from clowning around.
"

2 cents wrote on Mar 9, 2008 8:55 PM:

" Just goes to prove that just because your in college it does not make you smarter. "

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