Lake Wales boy struck by driver that ran red light: police

An investigation is underway after a 12-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle while at a crosswalk in Polk County on Friday.

At around 7:47 a.m., the Lake Wales Police Department said the boy was waiting at the crosswalk on State Road 60 at the intersection of 3rd Street.

Police said, at the same time, a 2010 Buick Enclave driven by EH was traveling east on State Road 60 and ran a red light before hitting the boy.

Police estimate the car was driving 47 miles per hour.

“The cars are supposed to be traveling 40. We do a lot of enforcement in that area and we do catch people speeding through that area. So I would consider that a dangerous area of 60,” said Lt. Dale Hampton with the Lake Wales Police Department.

The child was flown to a trauma center for immediate treatment.

According to Lt. Hampton, the boy suffered a laceration to his face and police had concerns about internal injuries.

“It just gives you an uneasy feeling especially if you have a child. So we get there as fast as we can and do everything we can for the child,” said Lt. Hampton.

H was cited for not stopping at the red light. He did not show signs of impairment, according to Lt. Hampton.

There is no crossing guard stationed at that location.

The Pentecostal City Mission Church is located at the intersection.

“Heartbreaking, very sad, really heartbroken because it’s really a major issue at that intersection. A lot of accidents happen there since we’ve been here for the last couple of years,” said pastor Shirley White-Campbell.

Assistant pastor SC said a lot of people use the cross walk to get across the street.

“Something definitely needs to be done before someone loses their life. I hope it doesn’t take someone losing their life before they actually do something about it,” said C.

Lt. Hampton said he supports the city of Lake Wales’ plan to add safety cameras.

“We are wanting to implement them. They are funded by the violator. We’re wanting to put them in all of our school zones. We’re wanting to put them in the red lights on 60,” said Lt. Hampton.

On Friday, the city opened up bids to vendors for the program.

Surveillance video shows the boy waiting at the crosswalk for traffic to stop before attempting to cross the street, according to police.

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Source: wfla