Norfolk, NE (May 9, 2026) – Two separate pedestrian accidents were reported within minutes of each other on Friday afternoon in Norfolk, leaving one person hospitalized and another with a minor head injury.
Emergency units first responded around 3:24 p.m. to the intersection of Seventh Street and Braasch Avenue after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. According to reports, a 75-year-old woman was turning south onto Seventh Street from Braasch Avenue when her vehicle hit a 68-year-old man who was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.
The man suffered a slight head injury but declined transportation to a hospital.
About six minutes later, emergency crews were called to the intersection of Fifth Street and Park Avenue for another pedestrian crash. Investigators said a 34-year-old man was driving south in the east lane of South Fifth Street when a junior high school student began crossing the road in a crosswalk and was struck by the sedan.
Officials said the stopped traffic in another lane may have blocked the driver’s view of the student before the collision. The girl was taken to Faith Health with suspected minor injuries. Witnesses told investigators that speed did not appear to be a factor in the accident.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of both crashes, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
Why Crosswalk Visibility Can Affect Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian accidents at intersections can occur even when people use marked crosswalks. In some cases, stopped traffic, parked vehicles, or turning movements may reduce visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.
Areas near schools can become especially busy during pick-up and drop-off periods. Increased traffic, frequent crossing activity, and vehicles stopping in multiple lanes may create situations where drivers have less time to notice someone entering the roadway.
Crosswalk safety often depends on clear sightlines and slower traffic movement. Drivers approaching intersections are generally expected to watch carefully for pedestrians, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic. Road design, lighting conditions, and lane positioning may also affect how quickly a driver can react when someone enters a crosswalk.
