12-year-old hit by vehicle while walking to school in south Lincoln, police say
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A 12-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle Friday morning while walking to school in south Lincoln.
Around 7:45 a.m., a car didn’t yield at 48th Street and Claire Avenue and crashed into a southbound box truck, police said.
It then slid through the intersection and hit a 12-year-old girl waiting at the crosswalk on her way to Pound Middle School.
The child suffered a minor leg injury and was taken to a hospital, police said.
Mujo Veronjic was taking his kids to the middle school when he got caught in traffic due to the crash.
“We got stuck in the turning lane just because of all the firetrucks and everything,” he said, “We saw them take out the gurney to obviously take someone to the hospital, but before they were able to get the person in the gurney, we were able to turn and leave, thankfully, just because I didn’t want my kids to see what was going on.”
He said the energy outside shifted.
“It was such an eerie feeling because it was dead silent, if that makes sense,” he said. “There were sirens and stuff, but when you see something as big as that happen, it just seems like everything around you goes quiet.”
Veronjic said when he drops off his kids, drivers go too fast and don’t pay attention.
“A lot of the kids cross the street to go to their parents’ car,” he said. “I get out of my car and stand and watch. There’s been multiple times when cars jet around the corner to try to beat the kids, which doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Mike Zgud lives near the school and called the crash “disturbing.”
He said his grandson walks around the area all the time, but now, he’s nervous to let him walk by himself.
“People are in so big of a hurry,” he said. “Even when you’re in a car, it’s dangerous when kids are walking.”
The principal at Pound sent an email to parents Friday morning. She said school staff would check in on students to make sure they’re OK.
Pound families,
This morning before school, there was a vehicle accident at 48th and Claire streets. The impact of the crash caused the car to slide into a group of Pound students waiting to cross 48th street at the crosswalk. Families of the students who may have been injured have been contacted.
There may be several students who witnessed the accident, and they may be upset or need extra support. Please know that our staff is here to help them. We will be checking in with students today to ensure they are ok. If you feel like your child needs extra support when they get home, please reach out to us.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Victory Haines
Principal
