Wednesday, April 26, 2000
Boy on bicycle collides with bus
12-year-old in critical condition with head injuries
By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A boy's bicycle and clothing lie in front of a car dealership after he hit the back of the bus in the background.
(Glenn Hartong photo)
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A 12-year-old boy was critically injured Tuesday afternoon when his bicycle collided with a Metro bus on Glenway Avenue in Westwood.
Christopher Gentry, of Pedretti Road, who suffered head injuries, was in critical condition in Children's Hospital Medical Center Tuesday evening. The crash occurred about 5:10 p.m. in the 5400 block of Glenway Avenue. Police said the boy's bicycle appeared to have collided with the side of the westbound bus.
Motorist Bob Menner, 39, of Covedale, who witnessed the crash, said Christopher was riding his bicycle westbound on the sidewalk. He said the boy's bicycle veered toward the bus and collided with it.
“He actually hit the back of the bus,” Mr. Menner said. “I don't know if he lost his balance. He just turned the wheels of the bike into the bus.”
The bus continued for about half a block before stopping, and Mr. Menner said he doubts that the driver was aware of the collision.
“I heard the hit and turned around,” said Anthony Overbey, 32, a salesman for nearby Walt Sweeney Ford, who was in the front lot when the collision occurred. “I thought the Metro driver hit the curb.”
When he got to the street he saw the boy lying face-down in the street with his head pressed against the curb.
Sallie Hilvers, Metro spokeswoman, said police did not cite the driver, William Simpson, 45, of Bevis.
“It appears he (the boy) ran into us,” Ms. Hilvers said.
The driver of the Route 33 bus that serves the Western Hills area has been driving for Metro since 1994, Ms. Hilvers said.
With the weather getting warmer and children outside more often, parents should remind them to be careful in high-traffic areas, she said.
Mr. Overbey said there are “three or four accidents a week” near the intersection where Glenway Avenue, Crookshank Road and Boudinot Avenue converge.
“A lot of kids (from the residential neighborhoods) ride their bikes to the mall and shopping centers,” he said.
“The cars are not slowing down.”
The Cincinnati Police Division traffic section is investigating the crash.
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