Man, 81, struck by Mpls. school bus, severely injured

The man was in a crosswalk and crossing with the walk sign when he was hit at 15th Street and Park Avenue S.

Last update: May 26, 2009 - 11:14 PM

An 81-year-old man is in critical condition after he was hit by a school bus near downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon.

The bus was waiting at a stoplight at E. 15th Street and Park Avenue about 2:20 p.m. When the light turned green, the bus driver made a left-hand turn onto Park Avenue, according to Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Garcia.

The victim was walking in the crosswalk and had a walk sign when the bus hit him, Garcia said. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Garcia said the bus driver told police that he didn't see the man. The accident is being investigated, and Garcia said it's too early to say whether the driver will be cited or charged.

"This is clearly a very unfortunate accident," Garcia said. "Buses are very large vehicles with numerous blind sights."

One child was in the school bus at the time. No one on the bus was injured.

Last week, a bicyclist was killed after being struck by a semitrailer at E. 14th Street and Park Avenue. The driver made a wide left turn, crossing in front of Dennis Dumm and hitting and killing the 31-year-old cyclist. That accident is still under investigation.

LORA PABST

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