By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
Two township youngsters were reported to be recovering from injuries sustained when they were struck by automobiles in separate incidents — one on Oct. 31; the second, last Wednesday. Police said both victims had been jaywalking when they were hit.
The first accident occurred at 12:26 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, near 495 Kearny Ave., south of Oakwood Ave., in the vicinity of Lincoln School.
According to police, a 12-year-old boy had been attempting to cross Kearny Ave. from east to west when he was hit by a southbound car.
Police said the youth sustained minor injuries. He was transported for treatment to Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville by Kearny EMS.
No summonses were issued to the driver, an 82-year-old man from Beach Haven.
At the time of the accident, police said, a crossing guard was on duty at Kearny and Oakwood, where there is also a traffic light, but the boy apparently chose to enter the roadway “well south of the intersection.”
The second accident was reported at 8:15 a.m., Nov. 5, when an 11-year-old girl was struck by a northbound car in the area of 134 Belgrove Dr., near Washington School.
Police said the child, crossing Belgrove from west to east, had apparently entered the northbound lane after walking behind southbound cars that were stopped in traffic.
The victim sustained injuries to her right leg, arm and upper body and was taken to University Hospital in Newark. Police said none of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
The car that hit the girl was taken to KPD headquarters “for investigative and inspectional purposes,” but the driver, a 47-year-old Kearny woman, was not issued any summonses.
According to police, witnesses confirmed “that the pedestrian entered the roadway in an unsafe manner.”
Police said that in this incident there was also a controlled intersection, with a crossing guard, nearby — at Belgrove and Woodland Ave.
Police Chief John Dowie emphasized that the KPD Traffic Bureau “constantly monitors” the area of schools, enforces violations and ensures that “crossing guards are properly positioned.” In addition, he noted, the officers provide safety lectures to students, speak to PTA groups and school administrators regarding traffic and pedestrian laws and have fielded pedestrian safety details throughout town.
