The Champaign Police Department is reminding motorists to slow down and watch for children walking or biking in school zone areas.
Today, at 7:43 AM, police officers responded to the area of Springfield and New Street for a report of an accident involving a car and a bicyclist. An 11 year-old girl reported being hit by a car while attempting to cross Springfield Avenue as she headed to school.
Reports indicate that the male driver of a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu was headed westbound on Springfield Avenue, and approaching New Street when he slowed to yield to a bicyclist on the northwest corner of the intersection. The bicyclist had established herself in the crosswalk and was proceeding to cross, when she was struck by the car.
An off-duty firefighter assisted at the scene to provide any medical attention needed. The youth did not report any injuries and no visible injuries were seen. The driver did not report any injuries to police. The officer determined that the youth, entering the crosswalk, had the right-away when she was struck by the car.
The driver, David T. Ho, of Savoy, was cited for Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk.
Reminders for Motorists:
When approaching a marked school crossing zone between the hours of 7 AM and 4 PM, on days when school is in operation and when schoolchildren are present. Drivers must:
- Stop all wireless phone communications;
- Obey all signage and traffic signals;
- Reduce vehicle speed to 20 mph; speeding in a school crossing zone could result in a $150 fine.
- Yield to any children or adults crossing in the crosswalk area.