OTTUMWA, IA — A driver could face charges after Ottumwa police say a truck struck a juvenile boy Thursday afternoon and then left the scene. Officers said the crash happened around 4:10 p.m. near the intersection of Albia Road and Minneopa Avenue.
The boy was hurt, but police described his condition as stable. The driver was later found after leaving the area, according to the Ottumwa Police Department.
Officials have not released the driver’s identity or said yet what charges may be considered. Police said additional information about the incident is expected in the coming days.
Ottumwa police say the truck struck a juvenile pedestrian around 4:10 p.m.
A spokesperson for the Ottumwa Police Department said the vehicle hit a juvenile male pedestrian near the Albia Road and Minneopa Avenue intersection. The location is in a busy part of town where neighborhood traffic and school-related travel can overlap in the afternoon.
Police said the driver did not remain at the scene after the collision, which made the case a hit-and-run investigation. Officers later located the driver, but they have not said whether the person was taken into custody or interviewed at the scene.
The boy’s injuries were described as nonfatal, and police said he remained stable after the crash. No further details about the truck or the circumstances of the impact were immediately released.
School district says the child was a student dropped off a block away
Ottumwa Community School District confirmed in a Facebook post Thursday evening that the juvenile struck in the crash is one of its students. The district said the child had been dropped off a block away from where the collision happened.
District officials also said the student is expected to make a full recovery. That update added a school-related layer to the incident, since it happened during a time when children may be walking home or moving between drop-off points and nearby streets.
The district did not identify the student and did not provide any additional medical details. Its statement focused instead on the child’s condition and on reminders for families and drivers.
District reminds families to slow down and use crosswalks near schools
Along with the update, the district shared several safety reminders meant to reduce pedestrian risks during arrival and dismissal times. Students were urged to stop and look both ways before entering a roadway, while drivers were told to avoid distractions and stay alert.
The district also reminded motorists to be especially cautious around bus stops, noting that children may still be walking even when a bus is not present. Whenever possible, students were encouraged to use marked crosswalks instead of crossing at unmarked spots.
The crash comes as local officials continue to gather details about what happened near the intersection. Police said more information will be released in the coming days as the investigation moves forward.
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