Child Skateboarding In Roadway Struck By Car

Photo by John Payne

SMITHFIELD – A child was struck by a car while skateboarding in the roadway. The accident occurred at 10:41pm Tuesday on US 301 South near Packing Plant Road.

Smithfield Police said the 13 year-old was skateboarding with a friend in the northbound travel lane of US 301 South when he was struck by a northbound car. Police said the driver of the car, a 72 year-old Four Oaks woman, was unable to see the juvenile until it was too late to stop. The second juvenile was not struck. Police said the two closest streetlamps to the accident scene were not operational and the roadway was dark.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene. The child was rushed to Wake Medical Center with critical injuries.

Authorities said both juveniles were wearing dark clothing, and had no reflective items or lights, while they were skateboarding on Highway 301.

The State Highway Patrol assisted with the accident investigation. No charges were filed by Smithfield Police.

12 COMMENTS

  1. Where are the parents? No child that age should be out that late on a busy highway skateboarding or even walking…

  2. Y’all do NOT need to comment about the parents. I am a 19 year old female that was assisting at the scene and the parents had no idea the boys were skate boarding the roads and are devastated as well. Y’all should remember, kids sneak out and dis obey parents too.

  3. This child has passed and he will never get to grow up. Teenagers make poor choices but their is no one to blame. This is a very sad day. Pray for his parents and all those who knew him.

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