10-Year-Old Boy Hit By Car In Summit Crosswalk, Rushed To Hospital

SUMMIT, NJ — A 10-year-old Lincoln-Hubbard School student was hit by a car at the intersection of Deforest Avenue and Woodland Avenue at around 8:15 a.m. on Friday, according to Summit Police.

Officers were called to the scene at Lincoln-Hubbard School on 52 Woodland Ave. where they found the 10-year-old Summit boy with a leg injury.

The boy reported that he was in a crosswalk at the intersection of Deforest Avenue and Woodland Avenue when he was hit by a vehicle, and he walked to the school for assistance, police said.

The student was rushed to Overlook Medical Center by the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad for treatment.

Police said the driver, an 89-year-old Summit woman, was proceeding south at a low rate of speed on Woodland Avenue when she attempted to make a left turn onto Deforest Avenue and hit the boy who was crossing the street.

The driver told police that sun glare was a contributing factor to the accident. The driver did not immediately pull over at the scene, police said.

When she returned and was unable to locate the victim, she responded to Summit Police Department at 512 Springfield Ave. and reported the accident. She was issued a summons, according ti police.

The incident is under investigation by the Summit Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau.

Mayor Nora Radest also issued a letter to the editor on Friday, addressing pedestrian safety issues in Summit.

"While it is simple to identify the problem - too many of us drive too fast or cross the street without paying adequate attention to what is happening around us – it is more of a challenge to affect lasting behavioral change in our community," Radest said.

Radest explained that the Summit Police Department and city Engineering Division have redesigned several roadways with a focus on traffic calming and getting drivers to slow down by narrowing lanes, installing all-way stops at key intersections and speed humps.

In addition, she said flashing beacons and more than 50 marked crosswalks in the downtown and hundreds of crosswalks throughout the city allow pedestrians many
safer crossing options. City agencies are continuing to work together to improve streets and intersections in areas in and adjacent to the downtown and other high traffic areas, Radest said.

"We have also employed increased enforcement by the department’s traffic unit and have been stopping and citing motorists for speeding and other offenses," Radest stated. "Our community education campaign is ongoing and targeted to times of the year when pedestrian traffic increases - at the beginning of the school year and during the arrival of warmer weather."

Starting this month, Radest said the Police Department will be putting out more information about vehicle and pedestrian safety. In partnership with the
schools, the City is also sharing safe drop off and pick up practices for families.

"We pledge to continue to reimagine how to best improve Summit’s existing streets, intersections, and sidewalks to benefit all who use them," Radest said. "It is imperative that all citizens make a similar pledge to make the safety of others a priority."