Young Boy Critical After Being Hit While Crossing Roosevelt Boulevard
PHILADELPHA (CBS) - A young boy is in critical condition after being struck by a car Thursday morning on the Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.
The accident happened at about 8 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the Boulevard at Whitaker Avenue when police say the child was heading to school. He normally takes the bus to school, but police say he walked.
According to police, Jeff Bienaime, the seven-year-old boy, was crossing the inner lanes against the traffic light with a friend when he was struck by a small car.
Bienaime was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children where he is listed in very critical condition after sustaining injuries to his head and upper body. His friend was not injured. Police say the driver of the SUV stopped at the scene.
Witnesses say the driver did not have a chance to get out of the way and that it happened so suddenly.
Bienaime is in the first grade at the Thomas Creighton Elementary School where the staff is preparing counselors for students.
"It is very sad that it happened and the boulevard is very unsafe," said one parent. "They need to have crossing guards at all intersections."
The accident remains under police investigation and no charges were immediately filed.
Earlier this week, a pregnant woman and her unborn child died after being struck by a motorcycle while crossing the Boulevard only miles north from today's crash.
Reported By Al Novack, KYW Newsradio 1060 and Steve Beck, CBSPhilly.com, Oren Liebermann, CBS 3
