Teen badly injured, girl hit in 2 separate crosswalk accidents as drivers warned to be careful

Police are reminding drivers in Alberta to slow down and watch for students heading back to school after a teenageron a bike was critically injured when he was hit by an SUV in Red Deer and aneight-year-old girl was hit by a car in Airdrie.

In both cases, the students were in crosswalks.

The incident in Red Deer happenedin the intersectionofDavisonDrive and50thStreetat about 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The 16-year-old boy was cycling on the sidewalk along50thStreet and attempted to cross the road.

"[He] basically pulled out in front of a vehicle and was struck by that vehicle," said Sgt. KevinHalwa.

The teen, who was not wearing a helmet,was taken to hospital with critical head injuries.

In this case, the driver is not at fault, saidHalwa.

"We have to share the roadways and use some caution. So whether you are stepping off the sidewalk, stepping out from between some vehicles or crossing a crosswalk, you have to be careful. Whoever has the right-of-way is irrelevant if you get struck by a vehicle."

Girl hit in crosswalk by Airdrie school

On Tuesday afternoon, an eight-year-old girl walking home from school with her mother inAirdriewas hit by a small car atLuxstoneBoulevard S.W. near St. Martin DePorresHigh School.

"Thankfully, there were no injuries. The driver of the vehicle was issued a ticket for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk,"AirdrieRCMPwrote in a news release on Thursday.

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"Police are reminding the public to slow down with kids returning to school and settling into their new routines," Airdrie RCMPsaid in a news release.

"Pedestrians, like motorists, should also use caution when using crosswalks. Please ensure that vehicles have stopped and have acknowledged that you are trying to cross prior to stepping onto the street."

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