An unfortunate incident happened yesterday at the intersection of Kuulei Road and Kainalu Drive in front of the fire station in Kailua. A young boy on a bicycle was hit by a car.
According to my young son, who had just entered the crosswalk on his own bike, heard the collision behind him and turned to see the boy fly off his bicycle and land a few feet away.
The vehicle stopped and as he was uncertain what to do, he waited for the boy to get up, which he did. Then in a panic, as my son felt he was in danger in the crosswalk, sped home on his bike.
When he told me what had happened at home, his face was pale and he was really shooken up.
He is so young, I never thought I would have to explain what to do in an accident, but as it could have easily just have been him who got hit, I sat him down and did my best to explain what he should do and if he is witness to such a tragedy again, which I hope is never.
It's terrible enough to have to explain to kids, "watch out for strangers," and "watch for cars," "look both ways before crossing a street" (which he does, thank goodness), but to tell him what to do when something goes wrong. As a parent, I didn't want to say it or think it.
I checked the news feeds and paper and couldn't find any information on this incident, which makes me worry that this incident was never reported. I send prayers out to this unknown child, who my son described as possibly a fifth grader who may attend Kailua Elementary School and was wearing a red T-shirt. I truly hope he is in good health.
To the driver, as scary as what happened was, I hope you reported it yourself and make certain this child is okay.
Parents, we all have so much we still need to tell our kids. I wish he had known to render aid and get help. He was too scared. He didn't know. And its sad to say, but he was never too young. If he was old enough to ride a bike and be out there with the cars, I can't assume all drivers would be so respectful or cautious as I would hope.
Share your wisdom with the next generation. Give them the knowledge they need to tackle any problem.
Love and Aloha,
Maile Mitchell-Akita
