Child on Bicycle Escapes Injuries after Being Struck by Vehicle While Leaving School Street Playground
A nine-year old boy was stuck by a vehicle on Thursday, February 8th, but escaped injuries from the collision that knocked him over as he was biking home from Westwood's School Street Playground, according to a report by the boy's parent that day to Westwood Police.
Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy noted that the incident occurred around 5:10 p.m. The boy reportedly fell to the ground when the vehicle knocked over the boy's bicycle. A family friend who happened to be in the area was able to obtain information from the vehicle's driver, who is a Westwood resident. The family friend drove the boy to his home on Gay Street. The other driver followed them in his own vehicle, intending to speak with the boy's parents.
About an hour following the incident, the boy's parent informed police of the incident and that the meeting with the driver was brief, but went well. The Westwood man who drove the vehicle that struck the boy was reportedly apologetic. The Gay Street resident’s son appeared to have no injuries.
The boy's father requested that traffic enforcement be added to the School Street Playground location, and suggested that a pedestrian crossing light be placed there. Westwood Police referred the boy's father to Officer Stephen Connelly, a traffic specialist who deals with safety issues.
Westwood Police also contacted the driver of the vehicle, and took a statement.