Zach Bailey / Winonan

After Winona State University student Britney Nelson was hit by a car early last November, Winona Sate student Kyle Strand started a petition to add better lighting for pedestrians. Since the petition began, it has received over 1,500 signatures and has now officially been passed.

The petition has been passed and looked over by not only the members of the Winona State Student Senate, but also by members of the Winona County community.

After multiple months of hospital stays, therapy and general recovery, Nelson is now getting back on her feet and is improving.

“The experience has been tough,” Nelson, said. “No one ever thinks something like this would happen to them, so when it does, the experience is pretty hard.”

Nelson attends therapy twice a week. She works on both speech therapy, such as memory, and occupational therapy, which works her math, driving and problem solving skills.

The woman who hit Nelson has not been in contact with her, but the Nelson family is planning on taking legal steps. The family has a lawyer, has been talking to their insurance company and are trying can to find a way to lower the medical bill costs.

Nelson said she has received tremendous support from the Winona State community and members of Greek life on campus.

“Everyone has been amazing through this whole experience,” Nelson stated. “I never thought I’d have this much support.”

As for the pedestrian lighting petition, Nelson said before the accident she would have thought it was be a good idea, but afterward she knows it to be even more important.

“It’s weird to have a feeling that you aren’t safe in a place that you should be,” Nelson said.