Neighbor says speeding is a problem where first grader was hit by car

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A 7-year-old boy is hospitalized in critical condition after he was hit by a car while he was getting off a school bus Wednesday afternoon.

The crash happened on Cadillac Street near Simplex Street in Baton Rouge. The child is a first grader at Sharon Hills Elementary School. His name was not released.

The Baton Rouge Police Department said the boy had just gotten off the school bus, which was stopped in the northbound lane of Simplex Street. He was crossing the street when he was hit by a car driving in the eastbound lane on Cadillac Street.

Nicole Shines, a mother who lives in the area, said the incident hit close to home.

"Because it's a baby and I have three kids of my own and I wouldn't want anyone's child to be in that predicament," Shines said.

The boy was rushed to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, where he remains.

Shines said the accident is unfortunate, but added a thing like this was bound to happen because people fly down the street on a daily basis. Investigators have not said whether or not the driver that hit the child was speeding. Shines revealed she was almost a victim.

"As I was coming down Cadillac one afternoon, it was a police officer coming from the opposite direction of me and he almost hit me. He had to press on his brakes himself and I've always noticed here on Cadillac Street the cars are always speeding. No one is paying attention to the speed limit through here," she explained.

Shines believes bus drivers should do more to protect kids than just put up a stop sign. She also feels the neighborhood should step up and do its part.

"Watch your speed limit, especially after school is out because you never know whose child you are going to hit or run into," she said. "Not just a child, there are people walking through here. There is no sidewalks hardly on the street, so it's dangerous. Follow the speed limit and be considerate of other kids."

Investigators have not yet reported on charges for the driver of the car. Police are still investigating.

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