UPDATE: Child recovering at home after being hit by car in West Fargo

WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - UPDATE: One child is recovering at home from their injuries after they were hit by a car in West Fargo.

Police say it happened at the intersection of 26th Ave. E. and Veterans Blvd. around 6:35 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. Authorities say the child was taken to the hospital for their injuries, but was later released and is expected to be ok.

Today’s incident marks the second of its kind West Fargo Police have had to investigate for the second time already just in the last two months.

“It’s unfortunate every time it happens,” West Fargo Police Sergeant Cody Beilke said.

As our mornings in the Valley are now darker, icier and snowier, police are encouraging parents to dress your kids in both bright and reflective clothes and backpacks, and to talk to them about how to stay safe on their walks to and from school.

“One of the best things parents can do is just educate their children on is, ‘Hey, make sure you’re looking both ways before you’re stepping out from the bus. Make sure they’re using the crosswalk and they’re only walking across when it says to do so. Even then, make sure you’re walking defensively and you’re looking for other cars,” he said.

Sgt. Beilke says while incidents like this can happen anywhere, Veterans Blvd. is home to several schools and young families, as well as a large amount of traffic which creates safety issues.

“Kids, what they’re doing is not using the crosswalks and they’re just going across the road whenever. The thing they have to remember is not all the time drivers are paying attention, looking for kids and that is where the issues come into play,” Sgt. Beilke said.

He says the call to action to drivers is easy: “Allow yourself more time.”

He urges more caution and patience when behind the wheel, especially when around schools or in neighborhoods both before and after school times.

“When you see a vehicle stopped in the crosswalk, don’t keep going. Make sure you stop with that vehicle because there could be kids or pedestrians in front of that vehicle that don’t see that you’re still coming,” he said.

Sgt. Beilke says he encourages parents to walk your children’s route with them to school or the bus every now and then to make sure they’re making smart and safe choices.

The driver was not cited in Friday morning’s crash. Police say this crash is still an active investigation.