NORTHAMPTON — The pedestrian struck Friday on Main Street in Florence was Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School teacher Jesse D. Lapinski, who is receiving surgery for injuries suffered.
Reached by phone Saturday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Lapinski said he was waiting for a doctor to work on his broken left shoulder and fractured left ankle.
According to police, 19-year-old Taylor M. Lasante of Holyoke was going about 25 miles per hour when she struck Lapinski, who had come out from behind a parked car.
Lapinski was not using a crosswalk, Detective Sgt. Victor Caputo said Saturday.
“I didn’t see any cars but there was the truck blocking the view,” said Lapinski, 23, of Florence. “As soon as I started to jog out into the road, the car hit me.”
Lapinski said he rolled up onto the hood of Lasante’s car upon impact and his left shoulder went through the windshield. He said he landed on the ground, 5 to 8 feet from the front of the car.
Lapinski, an assistant collision repair teacher at the high school, said he’s eager to get back to work but hasn’t heard from doctors when that might be.
“I don’t mind working in a cast, but the doctors haven’t talked to me about my can and can’t dos,” Lapinski said.
According to police, Lasante was not issued any tickets and is not being charged.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.