DETROIT, Wayne County, Mich., Oct. 2, 2026 — A 9-year-old boy was hit by a car Wednesday afternoon, September 30, after stepping off a school bus on Detroit's west side, according to police.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. near Kentfield Street and St Martins Avenue, police said. The boy had gotten off the bus and was crossing in front of it when a driver, described by police as a man in his 20s, struck him.
Medics took the boy to a Metro Detroit hospital. He was listed in stable condition, according to the report.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation. We wish the injured boy a speedy recovery.
When School-Zone Pedestrian Crashes Are Most Likely
Afternoon dismissal creates a narrow, predictable window of risk. Children leaving buses and school grounds between roughly 2:30 and 4 p.m. are moving on foot through residential streets at the same time commuter traffic starts to build, and drivers are not always watching for a small pedestrian stepping out from in front of a bus.
Morning drop-off carries some of the same risk, but afternoon dismissal tends to be worse because kids are released in groups, often distracted, and crossing streets without a crossing guard or signal at every corner. Drivers approaching a stopped bus from either direction may not slow early enough to react if a child appears from the front or side.
Season matters too. As daylight hours shorten through fall, dismissal time increasingly overlaps with dimmer afternoon light, which cuts down the time a driver has to spot a child before reaching the crossing point.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 24 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by hit-and-run drivers in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Many occur at or near intersections and crosswalks, but a large share also happen mid-block or where a pedestrian crosses outside a marked crossing, as can occur around school buses and parked vehicles.
Are pedestrian accidents more common at night or in low light?
Yes. Reduced visibility is a major factor, and that risk rises in fall and winter as daylight hours shrink during peak travel times, including school pickup and drop-off.
What should a pedestrian, or a parent of a child who was hit, do afterward?
Seek medical evaluation right away even if injuries seem minor, get the names of any witnesses, and request a copy of the police report once it's available.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk or school bus stop?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked crosswalks, and drivers are required to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading children. Even with the right of way, children and adults should still make sure a driver has seen them before crossing.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Detroit, MI
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until police arrive. Even if a child or adult seems okay right after being hit, a medical exam is worth getting, since some injuries, especially head and internal injuries, aren't obvious right away.
Parents should ask the school and transportation provider for their account of the bus stop procedures that day, and request the police report number for their records. Keeping notes on any symptoms that appear in the days following the crash can also help doctors track recovery.
Detroit families relying on school buses may also want to review safe crossing habits with children: wait for the driver's signal, make eye contact with nearby drivers, and never cross directly in front of or behind a stopped bus without checking traffic first.
