Boy, 9, dies after being struck by vehicle near Las Vegas school
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.
FramingCounterfactualAccidentObjectAgencyFocus * Not all highlights will be shown above if there are overlapping issues
Problems
Framing 1 issue
Article lacks thematic framing.
Thematic framing helps contextualize a car crash and draw attention to the bigger picture. By including thematic elements such as road design, statistics and trends, quotes, and safety initiatives, readers are more likely to understand that car crashes are foreseeable and preventable.
[Learn more about framing issues]
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.
Include at least 5 thematic elements.
Road design is perhaps the most important factor contributing to car crashes. Articles should mention relevant road design factors based on the circumstances. Look at the list below and incorporate a few relevant statements.
Element
Speed limit
Speed limits play a role in car crashes and are worth mentioning in the article. There is a direct correlation between vehicle speed and crash severity. Many speed limits are established via the 85-percentile rule, meaning the "appropriate" speed for a road is based on what 85% drivers perceive as safe, not what is safe for all road users.
No. of lanes
The number of traffic lanes should be observed in articles. While residential roads may only consist of one lane each way, roads with more traffic may contain more lanes, including a median turn lane. The author should highlight equity disparities; for example, bicycle fatalities have occurred on roads which have five lanes for cars, but have no sidewalks or bike lanes.
Lane width
There is a direct correlation between how wide travel lanes are and how fast drivers operate their vehicles. Wider lanes are known to make drivers feel safer, hence the faster speeds. Authors should draw attention to when residential lane widths are wider than highway lane widths.
Crosswalks
The presence of crosswalks should be noted when pedestrians are involved. When pedestrians do not use crosswalks, the author should attempt to identify if there were any nearby. For example, some injuries and fatalities have occurred where people attempt to cross a road where the nearest crosswalk was unreasonably far away. Also consider nearby complementary facilities such as bus stops where departing riders may need to immediately cross the street.
Sidewalks
The presence of sidewalks should be noted when appropriate, similar to crosswalks above. If articles mention a pedestrian walking in the roadway, journalists should make a quick effort to identify if that road had sidewalks available for use; in some cases, pedestrians have no other option but to walk in the roadway. Local ordinances regarding riding a bicycle on a sidewalk may also be relevant.
Bike lanes
For articles related to bicyclists, details should be mentioned about the presence and parameters of bike lanes. Differences between bike lane facilities should be discussed, such as whether the bike lane is protected via bollards, is physically separated from the roadway or integrated, etc.
Lighting conditions
Many injuries and fatalities occur in the evening when it is darker outside. Street lighting therefore plays a significant role in keeping all road users safe. If reporting on a crash after sunset, attempt to identify the presence and adequacy of street lighting.
Articles can be contextualized by mentioning statistics and trends. Pulling in numbers helps fact-based reporting and draws attention to the bigger picture that crashes have much in common and aren't mere incidents of chance. Local data, such as recent number of crashes on a particular road in recent days/months/years is preferable, but national-level data can always provide a fallback.
Quotes and input from various stakeholders can be included to add a human element and create a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Stakeholders
Local residents
Local residents may know their street's dynamics better than public safety officers or elected officials. They may also have children, which can add to the safety conversation. Seek out quotes or comments from local residents to both gather more information and shape the article's thematic narrative.
Elected officials
Statements from elected officials and policymakers can play an important role in setting the tone for how the community will respond to crashes. They are also in a good position to discuss current and proposed safety initiatives. Contact information for elected officials should be included in the article to improve constituent engagement.
Transportation safety experts
Reach out to local universities and ask if they can provide commentary on crashes, even if only in general terms. Those experts can even discuss road design, statistics and trends, and safety initiatives.
Safety initiatives are an important component to discuss in crash articles. They provide readers with information on what city and state officials are doing (or not doing) to improve public safety. Journalists should mention whether the following initiatives have been implemented, and provide details on what they are:
Vision Zero
"Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all." Learn more about Vision Zero
Traditional approach
Vision Zero approach
Traffic deaths are inevitable
→
Traffic deaths are preventable
Expect perfect human behavior
→
Anticipate and mitigate human failure
Prevent accidents
→
Prevent fatal and severe crashes
Blame individuals
→
Blame systems
Saving lives is expensive
→
Saving lives is not expensive
Complete Streets
"Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to prioritize safety, comfort, and access to destinations for all people who use the street." Learn more about Complete Streets
Streets are for everyone, not just cars
Create livable communities, including for children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who cannot afford a car
Design and operate the entire right of way to prioritize safer, slower speeds for all people who use the road, over high speeds for motor vehicles
DWI checkpoints
DWI checkpoints are set up to catch drivers under the influence. Does your local police department conduct these checkpoints? How often do they occur?
High-visibility enforcement
Conspicuous presence of traffic enforcement sends a signal to motorists to obey the rules of the road, and that traffic safety is taken seriously. Does your local police department have a high-visibility enforcement program?
Counterfactual 1 issue
Counterfactual statements are present.
Cambridge Dictionary defines counterfactual as "thinking about what did not happen but could have happened". Counterfactuals are true statements, but they can easily distract from the systemic causes of crashes, imply bad outcomes were the victim's fault, and absolve faulty actors of responsibility. Because readers place more blame on victims when articles use more counterfactual statements, these statements should be removed or adjusted.
[Learn more about counterfactual issues]
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.
Remove the counterfactual statements.
Name
Example
Effect
No helmet
A bicyclist was injured after being struck by a car. He wasn't wearing a helmet.
Implies the bicyclist is at fault. Ignores the contribution of the driver and poor road design. Implies outcome would have been different if a helmet were worn.
Dark clothing
A pedestrian was hit and killed last night. She was wearing dark-colored clothes.
Places all the blame on the victim, without discussing road design elements like street lights. Implies that had lighter-color clothing been worn, the crash wouldn't have happened. Distracts from the nationwide trend of rapidly increasing pedestrian fatalities (50% increase in the past decade) that cannot be rationally attributed to clothing color.
Crosswalk usage
The woman was injured after being struck by a vehicle. She was not using a crosswalk.
Implies the woman is at fault because a crosswalk was not used, but ignores road design and driver responsibility. Does not discuss whether crosswalks are even available, or if they are within reasonable walking distance. Also ignores the fact that most pedestrian injuries and deaths occur at marked crosswalks.
Road closed/delay
The crash caused road closures along Rt 10, delaying traffic for upwards of 4 hours.
Focuses on the inconvenience for other drivers, rather than the injuries or death that may have occurred. Reinforces the prioritization of speed over safety.
Environmental conditions
A vehicle struck and killed a bicyclist. The roads were wet and it was dark out.
Absolves actors of responsibility to safely operate their vehicle according to current weather conditions (e.g. drive slower when it is raining or snowy). Ignores road safety factors like quality and timeliness of snow or ice removal, or presence of street lights.
Impairment (alcohol, drugs, drowsiness)
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor.
When speculative statements are made, the article introduces bias in the form of rushing to the actor's defense before an investigation is even completed. Whether or not impairment was the cause of the crash, mitigating factors are not discussed.
No protective equipment
The bicyclist was not wearing a reflective vest and did not have a light.
Places all the blame on the victim, but ignores road safety factors like street illumination, safe bike lanes and sidewalks, etc.
VRU in roadway
The pedestrian was walking in the roadway when he was struck.
Places fault on the pedestrian, without discussing the presence or absence of sidewalks, or why the driver was not able to operate their vehicle safely.
Driver didn't see
The driver told us they could not see the pedestrian until it was too late.
Article allows the driver to shape the narrative in their favor and absolve themselves of responsibility. Does not discuss the issue of drivers not being able to see reasonable hazards.
Object 4 issues
Emphasis is placed on object instead of its agent.
Referring to objects (e.g. vehicle, car) instead of humans (e.g. driver) neutralizes blame, and inconsistent application of this writing assigns unequal blame on VRUs.
[Learn more about object issues]
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.
Use people-based language instead of object-based language.
The driver crashed into the woman.
The driver of the SUV fled the scene.
The man was injured after being hit by the driver of a 2014 Ford Escape.
The SUV crashed into the woman.
The SUV fled the scene.
The man was injured after being hit by a 2014 Ford Escape.
Agency 2 issues
Sentence lacks agent.
Sentences with agents make the actions of the perpetrator clear and reduce victim blaming.
[Learn more about agency issues]
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.
Add the missing agent to the sentence.
A bicyclist was struck and killed by a driver on Tuesday night.
A bicyclist was struck and killed on Tuesday night.
Focus 3 issues
Sentence places focus on VRU.
When a vulnerable road user is the focus of the sentence, readers blame them and dismiss preventative measures.
[Learn more about focus issues]
A 9-year-old boy riding his bicycle was killed Friday afternoon after he was hit by an SUV near a south Las Vegas Valley middle school, police said. The boy was hit about 2:35 p.m. in a residential neighborhood behind Silvestri Junior High School, near East Silverado Ranch Boulevard and South Maryland Parkway. He was riding his bike north in the southbound lanes of Jack Leavitt Street when a dark-colored Toyota SUV turned right from Riverdance Avenue and hit him, Metropolitan Police Department traffic Sgt. Paul McCullough said. The boy died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. "In this case here, we've got a young kid. Perfect angel, as we expect all of our children to be, and just very sad circumstances," McCullough said. The SUV stopped at a stop sign and then turned right, hitting the boy in the process. The driver wasn't expecting to see the bicycle while turning, he said. The driver had her child in the car at the time of the crash. She was cooperative with police, and officers didn't think she was impaired or driving fast, McCullough said. "Obviously, under these circumstances, she's very distraught and upset," he said. McCullough didn't know whether the boy was wearing a helmet, but he was thought to be riding alone. It wasn't immediately clear who was at fault in the crash, but McCullough said the crash was preventable, regardless, as it happened in a residential neighborhood with a child riding a bicycle near a school. A small, black bike with pegs stood next to the SUV, which had its front passenger door swung open. Pink clothes were piled on the ground just behind the front driver's side tire left by a person who tried to help the boy, McCullough said. Several children in the neighborhood saw the crash or the aftermath, he said. "Our prayers to the families for those involved and for the folks that had to witness this," McCullough said. Police closed the intersection while they investigated. They expected it to remain closed until Friday night. The Clark County coroner's office will release the boy's identity once his family is notified.