6-year-old girl struck, Regina police raise concerns about increase in pedestrian collisions

Ten collisions in 10 days have resulted in multiple injuries and one death, prompting renewed concerns from Regina police. Ardenn Lloyd reports.

The Regina Police Service is raising concerns about an increase in vehicle-pedestrian collisions throughout the city.

This after a series of weekend incidents — one of which resulted in a six-year-old girl getting seriously injured.

As of Monday, RPS said 10 collisions have occurred over the past 10 days involving vehicles and pedestrians and or cyclists and e-bike riders — resulting in multiple injuries and a death.

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Last Friday, RPS, issued a media release reminding the public to know the rules of the road and put safety first.

However, since then, police say there have been two more collisions involving pedestrians/cyclists and another involving a motorcycle.

Police say there is no recuring pattern to the surge in accidents, and there is not a general area of the city with notably more cases of these collisions than others.

Motorcyclist injured

Officers were called to the area of Dewdney Avenue and Park Street for a reported collision between a vehicle and motorcycle on Saturday around 1:40 p.m.

They found the driver of the motorcycle suffering from what appeared to be serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital by EMS.

Six-year-old girl injured

On Sunday, police responded to a reported collision between a vehicle and a six-year-old girl at the intersection of Pasqua Street and Parliament Avenue.

The victim was taken to hospital with what appeared to be “serious” but non-life-threatening injuries.

“Initial investigation has determined the driver of the vehicle had stopped at a red light and was turning right onto Parliament Avenue when they struck the victim,” read an RPS release.

The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

Monday incident

Around 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning, police responded to a collision near Sandringham Road and Cumberland Road for a report of a woman hit by a vehicle.

She was taken to hospital by EMS for what police described as serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation into this matter is also ongoing.

Regina police Inspector Jason Gunderson said simple road safety actions can prevent these collisions.

“We like to remind drivers that they have probably a bigger responsibility in that. That they’re driving large vehicles, and in that we ask that as you approach an intersection be sure of your surroundings,” Gunderson told media.

“Remind them that pedestrians at any marked crosswalk or at any intersection have the right of way.”

Of the 10 recent collisions, two of the investigations have been completed — with the drivers in both incidents being deemed at fault for failing to yield to pedestrians.

RPS also sought to remind drivers, pedestrians and cyclists of the following advice.

For drivers

• Make sure you’re able to see clearly out of all windows/mirrors.
• Be aware of your surroundings. As an example, If a vehicle in front of you or next to you is stopping, do not proceed or try to go around them as there may be a pedestrian crossing the street.
• All street corners are considered crosswalks. Be conscious that pedestrians may be trying to cross.

For pedestrians

• Cross the street at a corner or designated crosswalk
• Check all directions before crossing a street
• Check to make sure vehicles are stopped while crossing the street
• Pedestrians can be found at fault for collisions and be ticketed

For e-bike, e-scooter riders and cyclists:

• Always wear a helmet
• Follow the rules of the road. You are considered a vehicle.
• Know you hand signals and when to use them.
• If your bike fits the criteria to be on the sidewalk, you must dismount and walk your bike across the street.

With files from David Prisciak