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10-year-old boy injured by vehicle while riding bike across Mead Road

Crime and public safety Decatur Decaturish updates

10-year-old boy injured by vehicle while riding bike across Mead Road

W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt
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W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

A “Share the Road” sign on W. Ponce De Leon Avenue. File Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

Decatur Police say a 10-year-old boy was injured when he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike across Mead Road.

Lt. Jennifer Ross said the incident occurred Thursday morning, May 26, near the intersection of Mead Road and West College Avenue.

“The investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling north on Mead Road and stopped for the stop sign at West College Avenue before proceeding,” Ross said. “The bicycle was travelling west on the sidewalk along West College Avenue and suddenly entered the crosswalk on Mead Road and was struck by the front passenger side bumper of the vehicle.”

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The boy “sustained a foot injury” and his mom took him to the hospital. The police didn’t issue any citations.

This is the second time within the last six months that a child was hit near College Avenue. In December, a 12-year-old girl – later identified as Lydia Cochran – was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street 100 feet east of South McDonough. She was not in a crosswalk. The accident sent her the hospital in critical condition. She is still recovering from her injuries.

Daniel Payne, who lives in Oakhurst, sent a letter to city officials following the incident on May 26 asking why the city has not completed a proposed cut-through linking Olympic Place and Mead Road.

“The tragedy of today’s accident is that it could have been prevented by the fulfillment of an approved and funded project (promised and then apparently forgotten): pedestrian cut-throughs that were to link Olympic Place and Mead Road for the express purpose of allowing pedestrians to avoid this area of College Avenue,” Payne wrote. “This was approved and funded nearly three years ago, and yet we still wait for any work to begin. When a child suffers for such inaction it is a tragedy. We have never heard any reason for this inaction, and I anticipate that a full explanation will soon be demanded by my fellow neighbors.”

Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon told Decaturish that the project – known as the Olympic Trail – will be moving forward soon. The trail will follow the route of an old alley between the two streets.

“Bids were received on this and several other crosswalk and sidewalk improvements on May 12 and a recommendation will be made to the City Commission at its meeting on June 6,” Saxon said. “If approved, the trail and other improvements will take three to four months to build.”