Tulsa police ID boy struck on Harvard Avenue
BY AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
10/31/12 at 8:08 PM
A 7-year-old boy died after he was struck by a car on Harvard Avenue on Wednesday morning.
The boy, Elijah Rivers, and his 12-year-old sister were walking near Virgin Street and Harvard Avenue when the boy stepped off the curb and was struck at 6:55 a.m., police said.
Medics transported the boy, who was in critical condition, to St. John Medical Center, EMSA spokeswoman Kelli Bruer said.
He was pronounced dead shortly before 9 a.m., said Tulsa Police Sgt. Chris Witt.
The boy was a student at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School, 105 E. 63rd St. North, said Tulsa Public Schools spokesman Chris Payne.
He and his sister were walking to Celia Clinton Elementary School, 1740 N. Harvard Ave., to catch a bus to Lighthouse when he stepped into the street and was hit. The boy’s sister tried to stop him but was unsuccessful, Payne said.
Counselors are meeting with children at both schools, officials said.
“Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School is deeply saddened by the loss of life that occurred this morning when one of our scholars was fatally hit by a car,” Principal Jamila MacArthur said in a press release. “The safety of our students is the primary concern at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School. We share the pain felt by so many and grieve with the family.”
Virgin Street is three blocks from Celia Clinton Elementary, where a crossing guard is posted to assist students while crossing Harvard Avenue.
Several students at Celia Clinton Elementary witnessed the wreck, Payne said.
“We (Tulsa Public Schools) have several staff members who are meeting with the children this morning to help them through this very difficult day,” he said.
Fire officials said the boy was wearing a dark-colored Halloween costume at the time of the accident, which was before sunrise.
Fire Capt. Stan May encouraged parents to add reflective material to their children’s Halloween costumes to increase safety, noting it “give the drivers a chance to see them.”
Associated Images:
An investigator takes photos of the scene of an auto pedestrian accident at North Harvard Avenue and East Virgin Street. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World
A police officer investigates the scene of an auto pedestrian accident at North Harvard Avenue and East Virgin Street. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World
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