Child struck in crosswalk

A Monte Vista Elementary School 10-year-old student was struck by a vehicle in the crosswalk at La Crescenta and Orange avenues about 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

“The student was in the crosswalk and according to [witnesses] he hesitated,” said Principal Susan J. Hoge. “A car bumped him.”

She said that the motorist was driving slowly and was paying attention at the time. There is not a crossing guard at the crosswalk where the child was struck.

“The student’s family was with him,” she said. “The driver stopped and was very concerned.”

California Highway Patrol officers were nearby and responded immediately, as did the L.A. County paramedics. The child was not transported and spent the day at school.

“He is fine,” Hoge said.

The school notified parents through the ConnectEd program of the accident and used the opportunity to reinforce the importance for both pedestrians and drivers to be cautious around schools.

“In January, we had our Yellow Ribbon Week; our theme was Monty Lane and traffic safety,” she said.

Parents and students signed safety pledges emphasizing on traffic safety around the school.

Hoge added that drivers and pedestrians need to be aware not only around Monte Vista but in all school areas especially with the recent accidents in Glendale schools — the October fatality when an 11-year-old was struck and killed by a driver in front of Toll Middle School and the more recent accident involving a Wilson Middle School student that was struck in the crosswalk by a vehicle. The student was transported to Glendale Adventist with injuries to her leg and hip.

“We need to remind everyone of traffic safety,” Hoge said.