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Samantha Hayes Reporting Nice weather, two boys on bikes, and two serious accidents in the blink of an eye.
A Murray boy is dead after being hit by a UTA bus. And a West Valley boy is in the hospital with head injuries from a collision with a car. The boys apparently never saw either vehicle coming.
It’s a short trip to the shopping center from 13-year old Joey Mahana's house just up 5700 South. He decided to ride over on his bicycle, but didn't make it past the intersection. Too young to drive, a bicycle can be a pretty good way to get around when you are thirteen, but for Joey Mahana it offered no protection against a bus heading the other direction.
Rob Hall, Murray City Police: “The bus was just pulling back onto the roadway when apparently the young man probably didn't see the bus and it appears he hit the side of the bus and was pulled underneath."
Rebecca Perkins, Witness: “I got off the bus and it was from his starting it up and crossing the intersection there that he hit the child."
The boy was heading west on 5700 south, the bus was heading north on 900 east.
Justin Jones, Utah Transit Authority: “The impact of the bicycle was on the side of the bus.”
Investigators don't believe speed was a factor in this accident because the UTA bus had just made a stop to let passengers off before it reached the intersection.
Rob Hall: “The parents were on the scene shortly after the accident happened, I'm presuming that the boy lived close by here in the subdivision. They are aware of the situation. We currently have victim advocates and counselors with the family helping work through this and notify other family members."
Just a few hours later on the west side of town there was another accident involving a child on a bicycle and a car. Police say the 12-year old boy was struck while crossing the street at 4100 South 4800 West. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter.
Jeff Fox, West Valley Fire Department: “He possibly has a head injury, not real sure though. We think he’s going to be okay though.”
Police want to strongly caution drivers to be careful right now. While these accidents may not be the fault of motorists, as the weather warms up, more kids are out playing in yards and riding on bikes--often times near streets and busy intersections.
