Girl in ICU after hit-and-run while walking to school in Clairton

CLAIRTON, Pa. — A 7-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle, which then took off, Thursday morning in Clairton while she was walking to school, police said.

Police were called to the intersection of 5th Street and St. Clair Avenue just before 8 a.m.

The girl was flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Her family told Channel 11’s Aaron Martin that she is in the hospital’s intensive care unit with a head injury.

The Clairton School District said it has not had crossing guards for at least three years. The district is also one of the few in Western Pennsylvania that does not bus its students.

Wednesday’s accident was not the first involving students. In April, two students, 11 and 15 years old, were hit by a car in a crosswalk.

• PREVIOUS STORY: Mother calls for crossing guards in Clairton SD after daughters hit by car

Parents and neighbors want more to be done to protect students.

“I think they should have a crossing guard regardless. There’s a school right there, and this is a busy street,” Latoya Ball, a parent, said.

Florence Nehila volunteered to be a crossing guard to help keep children safe, including her own granddaughter.

“My granddaughter is in kindergarten, so I am out here to be the crossing guard,” Nehila said.

The district’s superintendent said in April that the addition of crossing guards would be discussed with the school board. But six months later, no changes have been made.

Nehila said she would volunteer her time as a crossing guard.

“I think the town needs to get crossing guards even if they give me a sign and vest. I will volunteer my time out here if they can’t afford it,” she said.

Alexis Trubiani, Student Service Liaison for the Clairton City School District, released the following statement Thursday:

"Clairton City School District's number one priority is our students and their safety and well-being. The cross guard positions were eliminated due to District insurance constrains, however it has been a discussion city wide. The school district has participated in a safe walking to school agenda and plan. The school district and city are actively working together to secure funding to have cross guards. Our thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery to the student, and we are here for the family to assist in anything they need."

Officers are investigating the accident. The driver of the vehicle that hit the girl has not been found.

Cox Media Group