Fifth-grader’s injuries highlight helmet need

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- Just one day before school let out for the summer, another

Newport-Mesa school was the scene of a traffic accident.

This time, a fifth-grade boy was injured.

As the 11-year-old was riding his bike to school just before 8 a.m.

Wednesday, he was struck by a car exiting Costa Mesa High School.

The boy, who the Daily Pilot has declined to identify, suffered a

fractured left elbow and some scrapes and bruises on his shoulder, but

was otherwise unharmed, said Sgt. Don Holford of the Costa Mesa Police

Department.

He was taken to Western Medical Center, but has since been released, said

Cheryl Galloway, principal at Davis Education Center, where the boy

attends school.

The boy was riding on the wrong side of Arlington Road, Holford said,

when a motorist came out of a driveway and looked to the left before

beginning his right-hand turn.

The 11-year-old, coming from the driver’s right, was crossing in front of

the car when he began that turn.

The vehicle struck the bike, knocking the boy off. Police said it was a

low-impact collision, and that the boy was wearing a helmet.

No charges will be brought against the driver, police said Friday.

“The helmet prevented what potentially could have been more serious

injuries,” Holford said.

Police said the accident should serve as a reminder to bicyclists to wear

helmets and to travel in the same direction as traffic.

“We’re constantly trying to tell students how important it is to not only

to wear their helmets, but to strap them on,” Galloway said.