Merrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860
For Immediate Release
Friday, Sept. 11, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Child on Bicycle Crashes Into Vehicle In Merrimac
Police Remind Community of Bicycle Safety Practices
MERRIMAC – Chief Eric M. Shears reports that the Merrimac Police Department responded to an incident this morning involving a 10-year-old child bicyclist who crashed into a moving car while on the way to school. Thankfully, the child was not badly injured, but the incident moved police to remind residents about bicycle safety and maintenance and motorist safety around bicycles, especially as students take to the road to commute to and from school this fall.
Police responded to the intersection of Route 110 and Orchard Street at approximately 8 a.m. Friday after a detail officer working at the Merrimac Square construction zone witnessed the accident.
Police spoke with the child, the driver of the vehicle and several witnesses. They determined that the 10-year-old boy was riding his bicycle to the Helen R. Donaghue School Elementary School.
While on Orchard Street, approaching the intersection of Route 110, the boy attempted to use his hand brakes to stop, but they were not working properly. The child continued onto Route 110, and despite his best efforts to avoid a collision, struck the rear passenger side of a passing car.
The driver of the car immediately stopped and stayed on scene. The Merrimac Fire Department’s ambulance was called to the area to evaluate the boy, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The child complained of elbow pain, but was not transported by ambulance to the hospital. His mother said that the child’s doctor would evaluate him.
Donaghue School Principal Robert Harrison also came to the scene to check on the boy.
No charges were filled against the driver.
“The child was very lucky this morning,” Chief Shears said. “We remind our young riders to please be extra cautious during inclement weather and to perform regular tune ups on their bicycles to prevent accidents.”
Parents can view more information on bicycle safety tips here, along with information specifically for children, here.