For the second time in two weeks, a car hit a Morinville student cycling to school.
The 11-year-old boy was struck when crossing the road at the intersection of 104 Street and 100 Avenue on Thursday. Emergency medical services were called shortly after 8:15 a.m. and examined the student.
His injuries were minor and he was released to his parents.
The accident comes shortly after another student in Morinville was taken to hospital after colliding with a pickup truck on Sept. 21.
The Grade 11 student was also riding his bicycle, and was crossing 100 Avenue near the Morinville Community High School. The youth suffered minor injuries to his kidneys and a severe concussion.
Morinville RCMP reported that speed and alcohol were not factors in the collisions. But Cpl. Daryl Charron asked residents to be safe and walk their bicycles across the road.
"If you walk your bike across a crosswalk you have the right-of-way," he said. "But if you are riding your bicycle, you do not have the legal right-of-way."
Charron said he could not comment on the first accident but said police are not assigning blame to anyone in Thursday's collision.
He added that it is always concerning when pedestrians or cyclists are getting hit on the roadway. Motorists should be extra cautious when driving in school areas, he said.
"It's back to school time and we need to keep road safety in mind," he said.
Morinville Public School also sent a letter to parents on Thursday.
Principal Wayne Rufiange said the school has asked teachers to discuss crosswalk safety with their students. The school will also hold an assembly with representatives from the Alberta Motor Association and the RCMP.
A date and time for the assembly has not been determined.
"Due to today's event and the accident involving a student from (Morinville Community High School) a short time ago it is important for the school to respond," said Rufiange.
Close calls for St. Albert pedestrians
St. Albert RCMP has also responded to three accidents in crosswalks. The vehicles were turning left each time and either clipped or hit the pedestrians.
The first collision took place on Sept. 25 around 11:55 p.m. A woman was crossing Giroux Road near the Mac's Convenience Store when an older, dark blue Chrysler Intrepid clipped her.
There were two men in the car that left the scene travelling eastbound on Giroux Road. The pedestrian was shaken up but was not injured.
Another woman was hit two days later, when crossing in a crosswalk at Boudreau Road and Primeau Lane around 11:25 p.m. She was also not injured.
The third collision happened on Sept. 28 around 4 p.m. A 13-year-old girl was crossing Dawson Road in a crosswalk when a car turning left from McKenney Avenue hit her. The girl was not hurt.
St. Albert RCMP continues to investigate all three collisions and asks both drivers and pedestrians to be watchful in crosswalks.
"Alberta Transportation teaches pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers to ensure they are seen before entering the crosswalk," said Cpl. Laurel Kading.
"Drivers also need to make eye contact to ensure the pedestrian has noticed the vehicle."
