A 13-year-old girl is dead after being hit by a city bus in northeast Edmonton Saturday night.
Officers responded to a report of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the area of 137 Avenue and 40 Street at approximately 7:40 p.m.
According to police, the girl was crossing a marked crosswalk on 137 Avenue southbound on 40 Street when an Edmonton Transit System bus turning left onto 137 Avenue and 40 Street struck and dragged her for a short distance.
Police believe the driver didn’t know he hit a pedestrian. The bus didn’t stop at the scene following the collision, and police found the bus at the Coliseum Station hours later, with evidence linking it to the collision.
"When we first got there, we thought it was a hit-and-run because there was no vehicle remaining at the scene," EPS Inspector Gary Godziuk said. "The investigation revealed, with the assistance of the Edmonton Transit System, that a bus was in the area."
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The EPS Major Collision Unit is investigating, and charges have not been laid at this time. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors.
This is the 24th traffic fatality in Edmonton this year.
“On behalf of the City of Edmonton, we offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the young pedestrian involved in a fatal collision last night," city manager Linda Cochrane and deputy city manager of city operations Doug Jones said in a press release. "This is a tragic event for everyone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them."
Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
