Edmonton police issue plea after child hit crossing Whyte Avenue

WATCH ABOVE: Edmonton police are pleading with drivers and pedestrians to be more careful on Whyte Ave. after several pedestrian collisions. Lisa Wolansky reports.

EDMONTON — A 12-year-old boy continues to recover in hospital after a truck hit him last Thursday as he crossed the Whyte Ave.-104 St. intersection with his mother.

The crash left him with serious head injuries and has prompted police to issue a reminder to both drivers and pedestrians.

“To me that hits home when a young child just walking across the street in a safe manner gets struck by a vehicle,” said Const. Matthew Li, who works the Whyte Ave. beat.

The officer said he sees a lot of “near misses” while walking the popular Edmonton strip. There have also been a multitude of major injury collisions: 100 between 2008 and 2014, according to police. Two were fatal.

David Finkelman was one of the pedestrians who lost his life crossing Whyte Ave. at a marked crosswalk.

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READ MORE: Woman sentenced in fatal pedestrian crash on Whyte Ave

This year, on Jan. 1, a 63-year-old man suffered fatal injuries in an alleged hit and run at the marked crosswalk on Whyte Ave. and 101 St.

The potential for collisions is said to increase with warmer weather, which brings more motorists and pedestrians to the area. Police say they both need to be more careful.

“Take that extra second to watch for pedestrians. Don’t rush at the lights…We can’t take these risks to save a minute or two off a trek home.”

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“Furthermore, heading westbound on Whyte Avenue in the afternoon, the sun can be very bright causing visibility issues,” Li added. “I want to remind drivers to always proceed with caution and make sure they’re watching for pedestrians.”

READ MORE: Whyte Avenue memorial honours life of cyclist, while urging people to share the road

Pedestrians, meanwhile, are reminded to do what you were taught when you were little: look both ways — even if you have a green light to walk.

“There’s tons of people walking around,” Li said. “Let’s just work together.”

READ MORE: Should Whyte Avenue become car-free? The city is looking into it

The Old Strathcona Business Association has proposed the city change the high-traffic crosswalk on Whyte Ave. and 102 St. to a controlled crossing by the city. It would also like to see speed limits lowered in the area.