Actually, here’s the “hole” story
Really…where’s former Detroit Mayor and famous text guru Kwame Kilpatrick when you really need him?
I mean, if there was ever a person who could have warned 15-year-old Alexa Longueira that excessive texting could dump you in some smelly situations, well, he’s da man.
A high school sophomore is texting away while walking on Staten Island. Not uncommon. However, as she was doing the latest dance craze with her phone, the Thumb Waltz, she did not notice an open manhole cover. Guess what happened next?
Or should I say “neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxt …ploop, splash…eewwwww.”
Yep…Alexa falls into a five-foot hole of sewage.
No, I don’t know if the text was delivered.
But, because the two NYC DEP workers didn’t secure the area or place any warnings on said hole, Alexa and family are contemplating opening up a real smelly situation for the city by suing for not blocking out the area.
As of this writing, fortunately Alexa is only bruised (her ego likely a bit black and blue too) and cut but appears ok. She is claiming she is having nightmares about falling.
Alexa’s mother raises a good point that had that been someone pushing a stroller or an elderly person, the unmarked area could have had even worse results.
And, the crux of that argument will likely mean what is now known in legal circles (or should be in honor of the…sorry..fallen.. Michael Jackson) as: “MJ Pay” (aka “Out of court settlement”).
But, something does smell here and it’s not just Alexa’s clothing, post trip. This reeks (sorry, Alexa) of the folks who go after McDonald’s because they fry their laps on hot coffee at the drive thru. So here’s my two-cents to young Alexa and Mrs. Longueira.
Alexa - As a father of a 14-year-old girl (who is text happy as well), I hope and pray you are ok. No one wants their kid hurt. But, little heads up here: You are walking on a street in NY of all places. At night (”evening”). Focus, honey. Focus. To your mom’s larger point, what if you were crossing the street and a cab was coming while texting? Yes, I know, I know…you’d NEEEEEVVVVVVEEERR do that. Yeah…my kid wouldn’t either…right.
Momma Longueira - Yes, make sure the kid’s alright. But, while I’m not a lawyer or doctor, but play one on TV, I’m going to say, she’s battered and bruised for sure. Probably embarrassed…but rightly so. But if she’s the least bit ok, let’s not turn this into a circus, k? A piano didn’t fall on her head from a sky scraper due to faulty cables! She fell in a hole of poop because she wasn’t watching where she was going. And, yeah, the DEP guy shoulda flagged the hole.
Two wrongs still - despite technology - don’t make a right.
Personal responsibility isn’t replaced because of the access to high-tech distraction; if anything? It’s increased.
I hope Alexa is ok and this can be settled with an “I’m sorry” from NYC and “I fell down and go boom” from the Texting Teen.
