Driver Strikes Three Children in Crosswalk

"Pedestrians are encouraged to wear reflective clothing and carry a light to help vehicles see them easier" -Sgt. Rob Ray, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Vehicle that struck three children on Tualatin Valley Highway Photos: Washington County Sheriff's Office

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Investigators say a car struck three children Sunday at 4:49 p.m. in the crosswalk at SW 178th Avenue on Tualatin Valley Highway.

The children were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Sgt. Bob Ray with the Washington County Sheriff.

"The crosswalk is to help pedestrians cross Tualatin Valley Highway safely. There are road signs and paint on the roadway marking the crossing."

Tualatin Valley Highway is divided into four-lanes with a speed limit of 35 MPH.

"It was dark and raining lightly at the time of the incident," Ray said.

Witnesses told deputies the traffic was stopped in three out of the four lanes. The children crossed the first three lanes safely...

"When they crossed the last lane, all three were struck by a car that failed to stop."

Ray says they were hit by a 1998 Ford Taurus that was driven by 52-year-old Cecilio Venegas of Gresham.

"The deputies learned that the 13-year old girl and the 14-year old boy were thrown over the hood into the windshield of the vehicle."

They were both transported by ambulance to Emanuel Hospital and are listed in critical condition with non-life threatening injuries."

The 10-year-old girl received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Emanuel Hospital, Ray said. It was reported the children were wearing dark clothing.

Venegas told Sheriff's deputies that he never saw the children until his car hit them. Neither he nor his three passengers were injured.

Cecilio Venegas was issued a citation for "Passing Stopped Vehicle at Crosswalk." SW Tualatin Valley Highway eastbound was closed for about two hours while Sheriff's Deputies and the Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team investigated the incident.

Ray says the Washington County Sheriff's Office would like to remind drivers to slow down and be extra cautious when driving in the dark and in bad weather conditions.

"Pedestrians are encouraged to wear reflective clothing and carry a light to help vehicles see them easier."

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