GASTONIA, N.C. — A 9-year-old boy was seriously hurt after he was struck by a car at about 3:30 p.m. Monday on Highway 321 at Carson Drive in Gastonia, police said.
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“It’s definitely dangerous for someone to cross whether they are a younger person or an older person,” said David Black, a driver in the area.
Witnesses said the child was alone.
Ashley Moore stepped out of her office and saw the child lying motionless in the street.
“It’s traumatizing because I can only imagine how that kid felt after it happened,” said Moore, a witness.
Moore said she was 10 years old when a vehicle hit her, so seeing the boy in the street brought back memories.
“I was just shaking my head,” Moore said. “I was like, ‘Why? Why that kid?’”
She hopes the child will make a full recovery.
“I was scared. I didn’t know, you know if I was ever going to walk again,” Moore told Channel 9.
Moore said it didn’t appear any family members were with the boy on Monday afternoon.
“I don’t understand where the parents (were),” Moore said.
The driver stayed at the scene and wasn’t charged, however, police contacted the child’s family.
They want to know where they were when the boy tried to cross five lanes of traffic on a busy road.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.