GREENFIELD — A 14-year-old boy stepped into the street without looking for traffic Oct. 31 as trick-or-treat hours in Greenfield were coming to a close. He was struck by an oncoming car but suffered only minor injuries.
He’s expected to recover, police say. The driver involved wasn’t at fault and won’t face any criminal charges or infractions.
The accident came a day after three siblings were killed and another child was badly injured when they were struck by a pickup truck while trying to board a school bus in Rochester, Indiana. The driver in that crash was arrested and charged with three felony counts of reckless homicide and one misdemeanor count of passing a school bus when an arm signal device is extended, causing bodily injury, according to the The Associated Press.
Now, police are reminding all residents — drivers and pedestrians alike — to be careful. Whether you’re behind the wheel or preparing to cross the street, any moment, any mistake can lead to tragedy, police say.
The accident Oct. 31 in Greenfield happened on Main Street between Noble and School streets just before 8 p.m., just as Halloween festivities in the city were wrapping up.
Rain was falling and visibility was poor, said Maj. Matt Holland, the deputy chief of the Greenfield Police Department.
The boy, whose name was not released by police, darted into the street without looking both ways, Holland said. He was with his family at the time, and his mother tried to stop him, Holland said.
Investigators believe the approaching driver didn’t see the boy and didn’t have time to stop, Holland said.
The Hancock County 911 Center received multiple calls about the accident. The boy was still lying in the street when first responders arrived, but he was alert and conscious. He was taken by ambulance to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to be examined by doctors. His injuries were minor, Holland said.
Throughout the day Tuesday, following that fatal bus stop crash in Rochester, and Wednesday as trick-or-treat times approached, many police departments and school districts took to social media urging drivers to be cautious whenever children might be around.
Schools shared diagrams on their Facebook pages urging careful driving around school buses and reminding drivers that all traffic should stop when a bus’s arm signal is activated. Police reminded drivers to slow down when they know kids might be out and about, particularly in school zones, neighborhoods and on holidays like Halloween.
Those are important tips to always keep in mind, Holland said.
Drivers should always have their full attention on the road. He recommended switching cellphones to do-not-disturb mode to ensure you’re not tempted to check your device when driving.
In times of poor visibility — like the early morning, when the crash in Rochester occurred; or whenever it’s raining, like when the accident in Greenfield happened Wednesday night — slow down and be extra careful. Drivers can be ticketed for driving at an unreasonable speed in inclement weather, even if they’re obeying the speed limit, Holland said.
Pedestrians, too, should always be mindful when crossing the street. Don’t assume that a driver has seen you and always look both ways before stepping into the roadway, Holland said.