INJURY TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION IN FRONT OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

Published: 02/02/2024

INJURY TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION IN FRONT OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

 

RIVERSIDE, CA – On Friday, February 2, 2024 at approximately 8:13 a.m., the City of Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received several calls of a traffic collision occurring on Magnolia Avenue at Cortez Street involving a vehicle and two pedestrians.  Riverside Police Officers assigned to the Traffic Bureau responded along with the Riverside Fire Department to the intersection, located across from Ramona High School.

 

The preliminary investigation showed an adult male driver was traveling east on Magnolia Avenue in a Hyundai SUV when he struck two high school students who were crossing the street within the crosswalk.  Both students sustained non-life threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment.  The driver remained at the scene but was later transported to the hospital out of precaution. 

 

Alcohol and/or drugs is not suspected at this time, and the cause of the traffic collision is still under investigation.

 

DRIVERS, here are some tips to help you keep pedestrians safe while driving, especially in school zones.

-  Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.

-  Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are, or may be present.

-  Understand the rights of pedestrians. Pedestrians are allowed to cross at any intersection or crosswalk, even those without a stop sign or signal.

-  Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

-  Stop behind crosswalks and yield to pedestrians. This includes waiting until the pedestrian has safely crossed the street and the “Walk” signal has expired.

-  Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you are not able to see.

-  Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

-  Always follow the speed limit, but especially when there are people on the street.

-  Before turning, look for other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists and yield to them. When turning right on red, come to a complete stop and scan for all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Proceed only when clear.

 

PEDESTRIANS, follow these tips to help keep you safe while walking.

-  Cross a street only at a corner, use crosswalks at traffic signals and stop signs where available.

-  Before crossing, wait for the pedestrian signal to change to “Walk.”

-  Once the signal changes to “Walk,” continue to look left-right-left again to make sure there are no cars approaching.

-  Wear bright-colored clothing and carry flashlights or wear reflective gear if you are walking at night when it is dark.

-  Obey all traffic signs and signals.

 

AND PARENTS, remind your children how to walk safely to and from school.

-  Encourage your kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

-  Encourage your kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach kids not to run out into the street, or dart between parked cars.

-  Lastly, encourage your kids to put phones, headphones and other distracting devices down while crossing the street. These things can take their attention away from the street, and what is happening around them.