Waterbury, CT (May 20, 2026) – A 9-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle on Wednesday morning near a school crosswalk on Highland Avenue in Waterbury. The collision happened near Tinker Elementary School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School.
The girl, a student at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, received minor injuries and was reported to be in stable condition. The driver remained at the scene following the accident.
No names were released in connection with the crash. Further details about what led to the wreck were not immediately available.
The case remains under active review, with more information expected as the inquiry progresses.
We are glad the young girl is stable and wish her a smooth and full recovery.
What Makes School Crosswalks High-Risk Zones for Young Pedestrians?
School crosswalks are among the most heavily used pedestrian crossings in any community, yet they remain one of the more dangerous spots for kids on foot. Young children are smaller and less visible to drivers, and they may not yet have the judgment to gauge vehicle speed reliably before stepping into a roadway. Morning drop-off hours tend to bring a surge of traffic precisely when students are walking to school, creating a mismatch between pedestrian volume and driver attention.
Crosswalk markings and crossing signals help, but they only work when drivers are watching for them. In areas where schools sit close together, sharing a single crosswalk between multiple buildings, foot traffic can be especially heavy and unpredictable. Driver awareness and reduced speed in school zones are the most effective ways to protect children making their way to and from class.
