HESPERIA, Mich. — Two students were injured in a crash at a middle school crosswalk on South Division Street just after 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Both boys, ages 12 and 6, are expected to recover.
The Newaygo County Sheriff's Office reported that a 26-year-old woman driving a van disregarded a crossing guard, striking the boys. Initial findings indicate she may have been distracted by her children in the vehicle.
The school resource officer was the first to respond, providing assistance alongside the school's nurse and local health professionals before ambulances arrived. The 12-year-old was released from Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, while the 6-year-old remains under observation.
School staff mobilized to provide counseling and support to students who witnessed the incident or heard about it, as it occurred just before classes began.
Deputy Vanderwall, the Hesperia School Resource Officer, emphasized the importance of driver awareness near schools, particularly during busy drop-off and pick-up times. “Every child deserves to get to school and home safely,” he said.
The crash remains under investigation, and the prosecutor's office will review the case for potential charges.
Authorities remind the community that pedestrian safety is a collective responsibility.