A 12-year-old boy who was hit by a vehicle as he crossed Jamerson Road Monday afternoon suffered serious injuries, Cobb Police said.
In a release, Officer Aaron Wilson said the boy, who was not identified, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
According a fundraising appeal for his medical expenses, the boy was later air-lifted to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where he is in intensive care with multiple injuries to his legs and internal organs.
Wilson said that the boy was crossing Jamerson Road from a sidewalk east of Turtle Rock Drive around 3:40 Monday afternoon when he was struck by a white 2023 Ford Transit van heading eastbound on Jamerson and driven by Lawrence Jackson, 28, of Ellenwood.
The area is between Davis Elementary School and Mountain View Church, and near the Jamerson-Trickum Road intersection.
Police said the boy landed on a sidewalk and a grass embankment after being hit, and suffered unspecified “serious injuries.”
Jackson was not injured, according to police, who said they’re continuing to investigate. Anyone with information should contact the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.
A reader sent us word that there’s a GoFundMe page set up for the boy’s medical expenses, and that he will be needing additional surgeries.
The information there says the boy, who’s a rising 7th grader at Mabry Middle School and is involved with the Lassiter Junior football program, was using the crosswalk at Davis ES when he was hit.
The page says the boy’s injuries include a fractured femur and tibia in one leg and a fractured knee in the other, bruised lungs, a torn aorta and liver lacerations.
“During this time, his mom will be out of work and with him,” the fundraising message said. “If you see fit, please consider helping this family during this time of need.”
Another reader has started an online petition to improve the crosswalks at Davis ES.
Courtney Chiang DiStefano is asking in the petition that a solar flashing light alert be added, along with crosswalk detectors, a chirping alert for pedestrians and to build another crosswalk to cover both sides of the school.
She said she and her family uses the crosswalk often to visit grandparents and to go to classes as Davis, but “the lack of a protected crosswalk with sufficient signage and protection puts our children and neighbors at significant risk.”
DiStefano said that the posted speed limit in that portion of Jamerson Road is 45 mph, but “it is not uncommon for vehicles to speed down this road at over 65 mph. With children crossing throughout the year—whether it be for school, visiting family, or recreational activities—this lack of safety measures presents a daily hazard.”
She said that the petition has been sent to Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb.
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