Driver charged after killing boy in Lethbridge crosswalk

A Lethbridge man has been charged in connection with a collision last month that killed a 10-year-old boy who was crossing the street.

The boy was walking with his nine-year-old brother and their father near the intersection of Whoop Up Drive and Aquitania Boulevard West at about 3:30 p.m. on April 13 when an SUV turning right struck the two children, Lethbridge police said in a release.

The 10-year-old received life-threatening injuries and died in hospital.

The nine-year-old had minor injuries and the father was not hurt.

An investigation by the traffic unit determined that the driver of the SUV travelling southbound on Aquitania Boulevardwas facing a yield sign when he proceeded to make a right turn into the westbound lanes of Whoop Up Drive and struck the boys.

The pedestrians were in a marked crosswalk.

Neil Martin Skjodt, 52, of Lethbridge, has been charged with careless driving under the Traffic Safety Act.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 11.