The mother of the boy struck by a truck on Regional Road 15 yesterday wants the public to stop blaming the driver for her son’s injuries.
The 11-year-old is recovering this morning from surgery to repair two broken legs.
Asking not to be identified by name so her son’s identity could remain private, she said the collision happened because her 11-year-old son, in his rush to cross the road, forgot to look for traffic before starting to cross.
Her son’s injuries, she said, should be a lesson for other children about being safe when near roadways.
She also wants to “clear the air” regarding the driver whose vehicle struck her son. Social media exploded with anger toward the driver yesterday after news of the collision broke.
Initially, police said the boy was struck getting off the school bus, but clarified a short time later that he was a pedestrian, not a bus passenger.
“There are a lot of nasty people accusing the bus driver and the driver of neglect … but in his haste to cross the road, my son didn’t pay attention to traffic,” she said. “The driver tried to slow down, and he did — my son’s injuries could’ve been a lot worse.
“I feel horrible for the driver. This was not his fault.”
She said both the driver and the bus driver who witnessed the collision stayed with her son and comforted him until EMS arrived.
“As a mother, I’m extremely grateful for their actions,” she said. “I’m grateful to all the people who took the time to stay at the scene … to assist my son.”
She credited the “extremely good” paramedics who responded for keeping the boy calm and transporting him quickly to Health Sciences North, adding that hospital staff was fantastic, as well.
The 11-year-old, who turns 12 this month, suffered breaks to the tibia and fibula (bones in the calf) of his left leg, and the femur (thigh bone) in his right leg. She said he did require surgery, which went well, and he is recovering.
He has a good chance to make a full recovery, she said.
Greater Sudbury Police continues to investigate the incident. Sudbury.com will provide more information as it becomes available.
