Sergio Bardesi-Texocotitla
A&E and Chive Editor
On September 21, 2020, a terrible accident occurred at the crossing between North and South campus involving two Lake Forest College students.
Preeya Ustoyoda, now a fifth-year student studying neuroscience and biology, said that before the accident, “I balanced a busy work schedule (25-30 [hours] per week), my studies, a dog walking business, a fairy light installation business, and my lovely 2-year-old boy named Honda.”
On top of that, Ustoyoda lived in Mundelein, IL. They commuted 30 minutes to and 30 minutes from school. Nearly an hour everyday behind the wheel, mixed amongst thousands others.
On that day, Ustoyoda hit local skater boy Hiwa Aboy. Aboy, a second-year student studying pre-law and music, said, “I was tryna get from North [campus] to South [campus] on my skateboard… Next thing I know, my best friend Shiwa Agirl held my hand. She said she was so happy that I woke up.”
Miraculously, Aboy survived the collision with only a broken pinky toe and a mild concussion. “I’m not mad at Ustoyoda anymore. I’m thankful that I’m ok, they’re ok… it set me back a semester.”
He continued, “To be honest… this is my seventh concussion as a skater, but I can’t disappoint my inspiration, my idol, my God: Tony Hawk! My radical study methods’ll sail me to law school.”
Following the accident, Ustoyoda reevaluated their state in life. “Before the accident, I constantly joked about sleeping four hours because it was the truth.”
Ustoyoda credits their parents for assisting them through this difficult time. Ustoyoda decided to prioritize their mental health by taking less classes, working less during the school year, spending a bit more time with her son and, above all else: “stopping at that crossing.”
