Nine-year-old Makenna Erickson is recovering from a broken arm and collar bone after she was struck by an SUV near Joseph Teres School while she biked home from school.
The school is located on Sanford Fleming Road in Transcona, but it was a quiet residential street where the girl was hit.
"Makenna says she looked at the car driver. It looked like she was stopped, so Makenna started to go, the car went, and struck her from the three-way stop,” said Mike Erickson, her father.
The corner of Cambie Road and Clouston Drive had crossing guards until this spring.
The River East Transcona School Division said there weren't enough students to guard the intersection.
It said it's now re-assessing the decision to remove them.
"Recommendations could include putting crossing guards there, students back there, looking at adult crossing guards,” said Kelly Barkman, superintendent with River East.
"At this three-way stop sign, there's always cars that don't really make a full stop there. I’ve always found it really useful to have a crossing guard there,” said Mike Erickson.
There are no reduced speed signs here, but drivers are cautioned to turn the corner near the school at 10 kilometres per hour.
Mike Erickson said he wants a crossing guard at the corner when kids head to and from school.
But people who live nearby say it's a bigger problem.
"It extends beyond the school hours. It’s really a problem that we have all the time, which is why my neighbours and I are really hoping to see either a speed bump or a reduced speed,” said Michelle Scott, who lives near the school.
Neighbours want to prevent another crash involving a child and vehicle.
Makenna has seen an outpouring of support from classmates and neighbours.
Her bike and helmet are in ruins and she can't feed herself, but the nine-year-old girl is on the path to recovery.
"She'll be out of school for the rest of the year. Half of her summer will be ruined. Hopefully she'll still be able to make up the other half,” said Mike Erickson.
Makena's family said she's lucky she wasn't hurt worse and they want safety addressed so that no other families have to deal with the same issues.
