Child hit by car in Polson

POLSON — A woman driving northbound on Highway 93 struck a child on a bicycle in Polson Saturday afternoon.

Officer Juan Maso of the Polson Police Department responded to the crash.  The 9-year-old girl crossed the road at the intersection of Highway 93 and Main Street when the pedestrian light was red and the light for northbound traffic had just turned green.  Maso said the crash was low-impact.

“The car was just starting to move forward,” he said.

The woman intended to make a left turn onto Main Street while headed north on Highway 93. Maso said two children on bikes crossed the street. The first child made it across the street and the girl followed.  She was hit when she was in the middle of the road.  

Maso said the driver was remorseful and felt very badly about the accident.  Alcohol and drugs are not factors in the case.  He said there was no intent and the incident was purely an accident. The woman is an enrolled tribal member and the case was turned over to the tribal police.

Maso said he wants to remind everyone of the rising population in Polson during the summer and for drivers to continue to drive cautiously and to remain alert.  He also places responsibility on cyclists to do their part to stay safe on the road.

“Unwanted incidents like this serve as a friendly reminder to wear bike helmets,” Maso said.

The girl was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. Maso was unable to go to the hospital after the incident due to backed up traffic.  However, he said the family called the following morning to get the bike back.

“When an unfortunate event like this happens and they ask for the bike back, it looks like things are looking up,” he said.