POST FALLS, Idaho — A 15-year-old was hit by an SUV while biking to school in Post Falls Tuesday morning.
The crash occurred near Post Falls High School on the east side of the roundabout at the intersection of Cecil and Poleline Avenue around 7 a.m.
The boy was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He has since been released from the hospital. The driver of the SUV was cited.
Parents are asking for changes in the area, which they say has long been a hazard for students.
Lori Weaver, a Post Falls resident and parent of a Post Falls High School student, described the roundabout at Poleline and Cecile as a “death trap.” She believes it creates an “unnecessary hot spot” for accidents.
Many students from Post Falls High School cross this intersection daily, making it a significant concern for parents.
Weaver remarked, “I just thought that’s avoidable. We know it’s a problem. The city knows it’s a problem. The school knows it’s a problem. We have volunteers on patrol. I would love to see a volunteer patrol car assigned to that intersection every morning for a while because people will slow down when they see that car.”
On social media, numerous individuals have shared their experiences or witnessed similar incidents at the intersection. Many drivers navigating the roundabout are new to the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
Weaver added, “They’re learning the rules. They’re learning how to negotiate oncoming traffic, be offensive, defensive, and then you’ve got lots of kids on foot and on bikes. It’s just a really congested area that gets super crazy sometimes.”
One neighbor in the area noted that he often sees kids forgetting to use the crosswalk lights.
The Spokane Police Department encourages pedestrians always to use the crosswalk buttons and advises drivers to be especially aware of pedestrians and bicyclists in school zones.
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