Deaf Crash Victims Should Recover

Three deaf people who are mainstays of the volunteer corps at the Deaf Cultural Center in Olathe are recovering after being hit by a car reports KMBC (18/01/12).

The three had just left a meeting at the Deaf Cultural Center, across from the Kansas School for the Deaf on East Park Street.

Police said Robert Garrison, Sue Gordon and Eva Johnson didn't see the car and the driver didn't see them. After the incident, the driver ran into the cultural center to get someone to call 911.
"It doesn't register with you immediately that someone you know and love might be hurt," said Sandra Kelly, a friend of the crash victims. "And (the driver) said, 'They're in the street! They're in the street!' and that's immediately when you kick in to action."

She said that she and others at the center ran out to cover the three victims with coats and blankets until paramedics arrived. While the victims were badly hurt, Kelly said she has heard that all three will recover.

Kelly said it appears the crash had nothing to do with the fact that the three victims are deaf. She said it was likely they were conversing among themselves and never noticed the car on the dark street.

The crash remains under investigation.