11-Year-Old Boy Struck and Killed While Crossing Street After School

According to the Omaha World-Herald, an 11-year-old boy was killed after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street in Wahoo, Nebraska, on Wednesday afternoon.

About the Fatal Child Pedestrian Crash

Mason Triplett, 11, was walking near his school on Chestnut Street near 23^rd Street when the pedestrian-car accident occurred. At around 3:45 p.m., the boy attempted to cross Chestnut Street when he was struck by a vehicle.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the 11-year-old was transported to Saunders County Medical Center where he would be pronounced dead. Officials say the intersection does not have a pedestrian crosswalk signal but that there are stop signs for eastbound and westbound traffic on 23^rd Street. In addition, the intersection has a crosswalk painted on the road and signage to alert drivers.

The pickup truck driver, 27-year-old Sean Buffum, did not appear to be impaired or distracted at the time of the accident. Police say he stopped and called 911 after striking the boy.

Charges are pending the results of the police reconstruction and investigation of the crash.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

The following information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• 4,884 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in 2014.
• On average, a pedestrian died every 2 hours and sustained injuries every 8 minutes in traffic crashes.
• Pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
• Ninety percent of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2014 involved a single vehicle.