DETROIT, Wayne County, Mich., Oct. 9, 2026 — Two children were struck by a vehicle on Thursday afternoon, October 8, at the intersection of 8 Mile Road and Schoenherr Road on Detroit's east side. Both children were reported awake and alert at the scene.
Detroit Police's 9th Precinct responded to the intersection along with Detroit Fire Engines 60 and 59 and Detroit EMS Medic units 15 and 3. Responding officers asked EMS crews to expedite their arrival as a precaution, though both children were conscious and responsive, the report said.
Additional units were called to the scene to help manage traffic at the intersection while first responders worked. The extent of the children's injuries has not been released.
No further details about the vehicle involved or the circumstances leading up to the crash have been made public. The incident remains under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Where Pedestrian Crashes Involving Children Concentrate
Crashes involving child pedestrians tend to cluster at wide, high-volume intersections rather than quiet residential streets. Roads like 8 Mile, with multiple lanes in each direction and heavy through traffic, require pedestrians to cross a greater distance and give drivers less time to react if someone enters the roadway unexpectedly.
Busy arterial intersections also combine several risk factors at once: turning vehicles that may not see a pedestrian stepping off a curb, signal timing that can be short for anyone moving slowly, and sightlines sometimes blocked by stopped traffic or signage. Children are especially vulnerable in these settings because they are shorter, harder for drivers to spot, and less predictable about when and where they'll cross.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those crashes happened at or near intersections similar in scale to major Detroit arterials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk once they've entered it, but drivers and pedestrians both share responsibility for watching traffic signals and oncoming vehicles before proceeding.
What can drivers do to watch for pedestrians, especially children?
Slowing down near intersections and school zones, scanning sidewalks and medians before turning, and avoiding distractions all help drivers spot pedestrians, particularly smaller children who can be harder to see, in time to stop safely.
What injuries are common when a child is struck by a vehicle?
Children struck by vehicles usually suffer head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries, even at relatively low speeds, because of their smaller size relative to a vehicle's bumper and hood height.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Detroit, MI
If you witness or are involved in a pedestrian crash, call 911 immediately and stay with the injured person until help arrives if it's safe to do so. Avoid moving someone who has been struck unless they're in immediate danger, since movement can worsen certain injuries.
Even if a child appears alert and responsive, as in this case, a full medical evaluation is important. Some injuries, particularly to the head or internal organs, aren't immediately obvious. Parents and guardians should keep records of any treatment and follow up with a pediatrician or hospital for further assessment in the days after a crash. Cooperating with police and providing any information you witnessed can also help investigators piece together what happened.
