Over the weekend, officers with the Meridian Police Department investigated three separate traffic crashes involving children who were either on bicycles or a pedestrian. 

    In a press release from officials with the Meridian Police Department, officials wanted to take this opportunity to caution the public and to raise their level of awareness involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

    “The recent onset of nice weather means an increase in outdoor activities such as bicycling, walking, and playing outside,” said MPD Patrol Division Commander, Capt. Wade Johnson in the release. “Bicyclists must pay close attention to the actions of motor vehicles, obey traffic laws, and be aware of other hazards when riding on the streets and roadways. On the other hand, motorists need also raise their level of awareness and to do all that is possible to avoid such collisions.”

    Johnson, who is also the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for the MPD, said pedestrians need to also be aware of oncoming traffic and hazards prior to crossing a street or roadway.

     According to Johnson, the first crash occurred Saturday morning around 9:40 a.m. in the area of 42nd Avenue and 21st Street. Witnesses reported two 10-year old children were on one bicycle. They were eastbound on 21st Street, passed a stop sign, and collided with a vehicle northbound on 41st Avenue. One of the 10-year olds was transported to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

    The second crash occurred Saturday evening around 6:15 p.m. in the area of First Street and 51st Avenue. It involved a four-year old bicyclist who passed a stop sign and collided with a vehicle that was westbound on First Street. The four-year old was transported to a local hospital and later moved to a Jackson area hospital for further treatment. Injuries were reported to be non life-threatening.

    The third crash occurred Sunday afternoon around 1:15 p.m. in the area of State Boulevard and 23rd Street. A nine-year old child was attempting to cross the street on foot and collided with a vehicle that was southbound on State Boulevard. The child was transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.

    Police investigations into all three crashes indicated that the motor vehicles involved in each crash were traveling at low speeds and within traffic laws. No charges will be filed in any of the three crashes.