An investigation right into a tractor trailer hanging and killing a 5-year-old lady traversing an Andover crosswalk in May has discovered the motive force not at fault, based on the Essex County District Attorney.
The driver is not going to face any legal fees stemming from the May 9 incident, when the tractor trailer collided into and killed Sidney Mae Olson on the intersection of Route 28 and Elm Street, DA Paul Tucker stated Friday.
Sidney and a member of the family had been going by means of an Elm Street crosswalk on their option to artwork class, whereas the stroll signal confirmed it was nonetheless protected to cross.
“The investigative findings do not provide sufficient evidence to seek criminal charges against the driver of the tractor trailer,” a launch from the DA’s workplace states. “The driver was stopped at the intersection. As he began to advance forward on the light turning green, he was unable to see Ms. Olson traveling on her scooter in the crosswalk below. The driver was not impaired by any substances and immediately came to a controlled stop after the collision.”
Sidney’s mother and father, Eric Olson and Mary-Beth Ellis, have develop into staunch advocates for highway security enhancements, not solely in Andover however throughout the complete state. Immediate adjustments had been made to the intersection following the tragedy, together with relocation of the cease line and growing pedestrian cross time.
“We’re relieved to reach closure in the criminal investigation. When Sidney died, it left an immeasurable hole in our lives. We miss her giggly laugh, dimpled smile, and kind heart,” the couple wrote in a Friday assertion. “We know this crash devastated everyone involved, and we’re thankful for the tough work done by the Andover police department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney.”
“Today’s decision doesn’t change the terrible truth: The crash that killed Sidney, like 42,000 US traffic deaths last year, was preventable,” the assertion continued.
Massachusetts State Police collaborated with the Essex DA’s workplace and Andover Police within the investigation involving an accident reconstructionist, video from contained in the tractor trailer, scene pictures, amongst different sources.
“Materials generated in the course of the investigation were provided to the attorneys for the family of Ms. Olson,” Tucker stated. “We provide our honest condolences to the Olson household for his or her immeasurable loss.
Sidney’s mother and father say they imagine their daughter’s life may have been saved if among the adjustments made to the intersection following the tragedy had been in place earlier than the incident.
“Sid was a couple feet away from being here right now,” Eric Olson instructed the Herald in August. “Had the stop line been where it is today, she’d probably be here. Had the lights been where they are now, she’d probably be here. We are happy that this is carrying us forward, but we recognize, too, that this is a small step in a long journey.”
A highway security audit, compiled by the city and state and launched in August, outlined 88 potential security enhancements to the intersection.
The most vital and quick change, Olson instructed the Herald, is unique pedestrian phasing, that means site visitors is stopped in all instructions when the stroll indicators are on. At the time of the tragedy, automobiles had been allowed to show throughout a crosswalk whereas a stroll signal was exhibiting.
In Friday’s assertion, Olson and his spouse known as on enterprise homeowners to evaluate when and the way deliveries occur “and update your trucks with the safety guards, cross-over mirrors, and backup cameras now required on state-owned trucks and proven to help drivers spot people like Sidney.”
Olson and his spouse are getting ready to host the “Sidney’s Rainbow Run” in Andover on Thanksgiving, selling “Safe Streets for People.” The Sidney Mae Olson Rainbow Fund has already raised greater than $100,000 to create methods for kids from underrepresented communities to entry training.
“In life, Sidney wanted nothing more than to bring people together,” the couple wrote. “In her death, we hope we can all work together to implement the proven solutions capable of addressing this public health crisis, making our roads safe and our neighborhoods more livable for all.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”