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WEST VALLEY CITY — A 12-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle outside an elementary school in West Valley City Friday morning.
Around 7:15 a.m. a truck traveling eastbound hit a boy near 6800 West and 3100 South near Gerald Wright Elementary in West Valley City as he was walking to get onto a school bus, according to West Valley City police. The boy was not crossing at a crosswalk.
"At this time it's hard to know whether that truck was speeding," Lt. Scott Buchanan of the West Valley City police said. "There wasn't a crosswalk here, but we are in a residential area and kids are crossing all over the place in order to get to school in the morning."
The boy, a seventh grader from Brockbank Junior High, was transported to Jordan Valley Hospital by ambulance before being transported to Primary Children's Hospital by a medical helicopter. He is in serious condition but is expected to recover from his injuries, Buchanan said.
"We're concerned about his condition, but we do think he's ultimately going to be okay," Buchanan said.
Granite School District will be offering crisis counselors for those who witnessed the accident, according to their Facebook page. The school district also asked individuals "to be mindful of kids walking to and from school, especially during darker morning hours."
Buchanan added a caution for motorists, saying: "You need to always be careful when you're driving through these neighborhoods to make sure there are no children that might be jumping in front of your car."
The accident is being investigated and a decision will be made later on whether a citation or charges will be filed against the driver of the truck.
"Once we get all the facts together, then we'll determine charges, if any, are appropriate," Buchanan said.
More details will be posted when they're available.
Contributing: Jed Boal
