MIDLAND, Texas — A hit-and-run occurred on the corner of East Gist Ave. and South Lamesa Rd. on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the passing of a 10-year-old IDEA Travis student Friday morning.
The area where the accident happened is not school property, with the school zone further west on Gist Ave., but IDEA and MISD shared responses, along with others in the community.
Crossing that intersection after school presents danger.
For a 10-year-old IDEA Travis student, it cost him his life.
IDEA Public Schools and Midland Independent School District released the following statement Friday morning:
"IDEA and Midland Independent School District are mourning the loss of one of our IDEA Travis students after a tragic incident near our school yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family and loved ones. Counselors will be providing mental health support for students and staff on campus. As the safety of our students continues to be our number one priority, we are urging drivers to exercise caution when pedestrians are present to prevent tragedies."
IDEA Travis Academy Principal Iliana Bermea also released a statement:
"Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with our student's family. This has been very difficult news for the entire Travis family to receive. We are working to process this tragedy and provide support to all who need it."
The Midland Police Department spoke on what drivers should do when a school is nearby.
“Always pay attention to your directions -- always look forward, look to the right, look behind you," said Earl Davis, community relations with the Midland Police Department. "Slow down, stay off your cell phones, just pay attention.”
Davis added that as Midland has grown, it has gotten more congested.
Stephanie Johnson is a concerned citizen who lives in the area.
“Years ago they used to have a crosswalk, they used to have a place where kids could safely walk, and now they took it down because of school zoning," Johnson said.
Johnson wants the speed limit lowered from 45 miles per hour, and believes something has to change on South Lamesa Rd. and East Gist Ave.
“My heart goes out to that family," Johnson said emotionally. "It should [have] never happened. One person, all it takes is one person to change something.”
District 2 Midland City Councilman John Norman told NewsWest 9 that putting a traffic light in for the intersection was already in the works for the 2024 budget.
Councilman Norman added that they understand the traffic problems in the area, and that this is an unfortunate situation.