School Zone Accidents on the Rise in Palm Bay

It’s back to school time for the children of Florida, which is why one district in particular is fighting to spread the word about school zone safety after a string of crosswalk accidents near a Palm Bay charter school.

Last Thursday, August 23, 2017, a twelve year-old boy was riding his bicycle during his morning commute to school when he entered the crosswalk at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Emerson Street.  It was at this time that, Christopher Harris, 31, struck the child with his Jeep Grand Cherokee as he attempted to make a left-hand turn.  He then sped away from the scene of the accident.  The impact of the collision sent the student up onto the hood of the SUV, causing minor injuries.  The young boy was transported to a local hospital where he received medical treatment.

In a separate incident that same morning, a father and his 5-year-old son sustained minor injuries when they were struck by a car while maneuvering a crosswalk near Odyssey Charter School, which is around the same area as the first accident.

Police caught up with Harris later that morning, where he was arrested and charged with knowingly driving on a suspended license, as well as leaving the scene of an accident with injury.

According to a study performed by Smart Growth America, the area around Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Titusville has been listed as the second most dangerous area in the nation for pedestrians, specifically in the metro areas.  In order to combat the rising number of pedestrian accidents in Brevard County, the city council in Palm Bay (where these accidents have been occurring the most) voted in favor of the addition of new school zone signage, and will increase the number of crossing guards in the school district.  Additional police officers will be assigned to problem intersections as well.

Here at James O. Cunningham, we’d like to remind drivers to not drive while distracted, and to be mindful of reduced school zone speed limits and lighted crosswalk signage.

Read More:
‘Culture change’ needed to combat Palm Bay school crashes
Crossing guard being added to intersection where 12-year-old boy was hit

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.