Posted By Ron Kramer on September 23, 2009

A 12 -year-old boy was hit by a car riding in a crosswalk on Wednesday, September 22, 2009. According to KSL news, this Centerville, Utah bike accident took place at the crosswalk of 400 West and Chase Lane. The driver claims he didn’t see the boy.

“I saw the person over here stop at the stop sign and then come very slowly across the street,” said witness Cyndie Chidester. “I didn’t see any bicycle, driver or anything until something went ‘clunk,’ and I just thought it was a piece of her car or something. So, I don’t know which direction the boy came from or anything. I just saw him laying on the ground.”

Police say the intersection was dark and the boy was wearing dark clothing and investigators are still unsure how fast the boy was riding.  Emergency crews arrived and the boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital. I wish him the very best recovery possible.

As I have discussed before, motorists are required to yield to pedestrians, especially those in crosswalks. This rule could still apply even though the child was riding his bike in the crosswalk. There is a Utah law which states that “the operator of a vechicle shall exercise care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal when necessary and exercise appropriate precaution upon observing any child …” (Utah Code 41-6-80.) If the child was there to be seen, the motorist should have sounded their horn to warn him or her of their presence.

I would recommend that the parents consult with an accident and injury lawyer to investigate the particulars of this case and to advise them of what remedies might be available.

Categories: Bicycle Accident
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