passing an accident

[lph]

This morning I was coming down my final stretch to work, which is along a narrow road with heavy commute traffic, lots of "blind" driveways, a narrow sidewalk but no bike path and hardly any shoulder. This is where I have to really pay attention and follow the flow, as it's hard for cars to pass. It's downhill, which helps, but I'm always on full systems alert here.

As usual there's a line of cars backed up behind the light at the intersection by the metro crossing, as usual there's chaos as a few cars try to jump the line and pass the ones waiting to turn. This morning there were police lights as well... and cars in every direction... and as I weave my way carefully across the intersection I see 2 police cars with lights flashing in the middle of it all. The cars are stopped past the intersection as well. In front of the line is a large bus, standing still. There's a small group of people on the sidewalk, bent over someone lying there. As I wheel by very slowly, expecting to be stopped by someone official, I see it's a skinny young boy, maybe 11, the same age as my son It's like being kicked in the chest.

He's alive, no blood, but is obviously in pain, and as I pull away I hear a man introducing himself as a doctor and an ambulance comes rushing in. I finish my commute bawling my eyes out.

On the net there's a short notice saying that he's 12 years old, has injuries to his ribs and one leg. The police are looking for the driver, it was a hit and run.

Just had to type this out. Traffic accidents suck.

[madscot13]

these have been on my mind lately- maybe because I have not gotten in one in a while.

That is a sad story. pleasekeep us updated.

[lph]

This story took a bizarre turn. A bit later in the morning the police said that they knew who the driver was and were tracking him down.

The latest is this: the kid, 11 yrs. old, forgot to get off the bus at the bus stop at the intersection. The bus driver agreed to let him off right afterwards, and slowed down to a stop in the middle of the road when there was no oncoming traffic. The kid ran past the front of the bus - just as a car pulled past and hit him in the side. The driver "verified that there were no serious injuries" (w/o talking to the kid or anyone else ), was "late for an important meeting" so he LEFT HIS CARD AND DROVE ON.



The kid isn't seriously hurt, but the ambulance guys were worried enough about him that they took him straight to the hospital before his mother could get there.

People are very strange.

[Tuckervill]

Was it a school bus? Or just a regular public bus?

It's against the law here to pass a school bus.

I hope the boy has a full recovery.

Karen

[Zen]

Left his card?

Where?

I guess this guy was late for an important meeting with the other soulless robots.

Oh please karma, give this moron his due.

[madscot13]

I know you should not run across roads and all but he was 11. And leaving a card it not legit. how do you know it is for real? try leaving your driver's license with the police instead! ugh.

I am pleased to hear that the boy is not seriously hurt. I consider that quite lucky.