PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — An 11-year-old girl was seriously injured Friday morning after she was struck by a car while trying to cross the street to reach her bus stop in Port St. Lucie.
The crash happened around 8:50 a.m. at the intersection of SW Gemini Lane and SW Thornhill Drive. According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), the child was unaccompanied and had been waiting near the northwest corner of the intersection. After one vehicle passed, she darted into the roadway and was hit by an eastbound white Honda Civic she didn’t see coming.
“She was on her way to school,” said Brittany Holly, Public Information Officer for PSLPD. “Unfortunately, she was unaccompanied. As soon as the vehicle passed, the child darted into the roadway and did not see oncoming eastbound traffic.”
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First responders found the girl unconscious but breathing. She was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach with serious injuries. Police received an update from medical staff stating the girl is intubated, but has non-life-threatening injuries.
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The driver of the Honda Civic stopped immediately and provided aid. Police say the driver is cooperating and showed no signs of impairment. “The driver was cooperative on scene and still is at this point,” Holly said. “There are no signs of impairment, and the driver provided aid to the child immediately.”
Authorities say the intersection is not known for frequent pedestrian crashes, but they’re urging extra caution as the school year begins. “It is back-to-school season,” Holly said. “We want to urge the community, students, and parents to be vigilant. Be aware of vehicles and students headed to those bus stops.”
There is no crossing guard assigned to that intersection, and the child’s bus stop was located in the southwest corner. Police have not confirmed which school the child attends or why she was alone.
Holly also issued a message to both drivers and pedestrians: “Please obey all traffic signals and signs, slow down, and have patience. We want to make sure our citizens and children stay safe. And for pedestrians — especially small children — please use crosswalks, and parents, accompany your children to the bus stop.”
The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed.
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