A Flurry of Confusion: Crossing Old Omen

unnamed (1) — A student crosses Old Omen while cars are stopped at the crosswalk. Patriot Talon file photo.

By NOAH TEW/Editor-in-Chief

On a typical afternoon, it is not surprising to hear the sounds of horns at the crosswalk by Liberty Landing, an apartment complex at the University of Texas at Tyler. Hundreds of students cross Old Omen every day to get to and from school.

Although the crosswalk was added years ago, there still are concerns among the students who use it.

“I’ve had problems where when I’m about to cross. A car crosses the intersection when it’s time for pedestrians to walk,” said Cub Hahecha, a student who frequently uses the crosswalk.

**STOP HERE:** A sign tells drivers where to stop at the crosswalk on Old Omen. Photos by NOAH TEW

Cars either remain stopped too long or blow through it causing students to have some concerns while crossing.

“Whenever the cars are going pretty fast and we press the button, cars just keep passing,” said Jack Simoini, another student.

**CROSSING THE STREET:** Student-athletes at The University of Texas at Tyler, Jack Simonini, left, and Tristan Schoenpoldt, cross Old Omen daily. They say cars don’t always obey the signs.

Some may be confused about how the light functions or whether motorists should stop when the light is blinking red or yellow.

“Sometimes I’m not sure whether I should stop whenever the light is flashing and I think that’s a problem that other drivers may have,” said Hahecha who also drives through the intersection.

Old Omen at UT Tyler remains a heavily used road and, according to news reports, has been the site of wrecks and other incidents over the years.

October 22, 2017: Justin Bartie, a UT Tyler basketball player, is struck by a car about 4:30 p.m. crossing Old Omen near the Cowan Center and suffers major injuries.
June 10, 2019: A wreck at the Old Omen Road and University Boulevard involves a truck and a motorcycle.
April 30, 2021: Raymond Morgan, 34, Whitehouse, leads authorities on a high-speed chase late at night that ends when he abandons his car on Belle Mere Street just off Old Omen Road across from the campus.

The University of Texas at Tyler published how motorists should proceed at this crosswalk. When the light blinks yellow cars should start to slow down. When the light turns solid red cars should remain stopped to allow students to cross. When students have crossed and the light starts to blink red cars can proceed if there is no student crossing.

“I do think they need something a little bit different because it is a little crazy over here,” Hahecha said.

**VIEW FROM ABOVE:** A satellite view of the crosswalk at Old Omen taken by GOOGLE EARTH. UT Tyler is on the left and Liberty Landing is on the right.

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