NEW PALESTINE — A teenage boy riding his bicycle to New Palestine High School for classes Monday morning was hit by a pickup truck as he tried to cross U.S. 52.
Kian Heise, 14, New Palestine, is listed in critical condition with head and internal injuries at Riley Hospital for Children, officials from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said.
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The freshman was struck near the intersection of School Street and U.S. 52 around 7:14 a.m. The boy was trying to cross the highway and rode into the path of a Ford F250 pickup driven by John Bundy, 52, New Palestine. The intersection is near the main driveway entrance heading into the high school’s parking lot. The speed limit on U.S. 52 near the high school is 30 mph.
Bundy cooperated fully with authorities, said Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
“Looks like the driver of the truck was just on his way to work when the teenager on the bike pulled right out in front of him,” Harris said.
Eyewitnesses at the scene told authorities Bundy had his lights on when the boy on the bicycle rode into his path. Bundy, who was eastbound, was unable to stop.
Officials were uncertain about the extent of Kian’s injuries.
The Indiana Department of Transportation maintains the highway in the town. Earlier this fall, parents and concerned citizens took to social media and asked about the addition of a crosswalk, flashing lights, a lower speed limit or other kind of safety measures to make the crossing safer for students.
“We do have a handful of students who do self commute,” said Wes Anderson, the director of community relations for the district.
Anderson said the district spoke with INDOT officials Monday morning after the accident and reiterated their hopes that the state will do something to make crossing the road less dangerous.
“We’ve been concerned about what we can do to make things safer, particularly around the peak times when students will be crossing,” Anderson said.
While there are bright yellow school crossing signs and crosswalk markings on the road showing where students should cross, there are no flashing lights, and the speed limit is listed as 30 mph, the same as it is through the rest of the town.
Regardless of what the school district proposes, Anderson said, any changes to road signs or speed limits would have to come from INDOT.
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