By Jon Johnson
PIMA – A 9-year-old Pima boy was flown to a hospital in Phoenix for a skull fracture on Sunday after being struck while riding a minibike.
Minibikes are small, one-passenger, two-wheeled motorized vehicles often designed for off-road use, which were popularized in the 1960s and 1970s. They are typically smaller and lighter than motorcycles, making them easier to handle for beginners.
According to the Graham County Dispatch, authorities were alerted to the incident at about 6:33 p.m. by the driver who struck the child.
The driver was reportedly traveling westbound on 700 South, just west of 400 West, at about the posted speed limit of 25 mph when the child pulled out from his driveway in front of the car. The youth reportedly was not wearing a helmet and suffered a severe head injury in the collision.
After the impact, the driver immediately pulled over and called 911 while attempting to render First Aid along with the youth’s parents and others who responded to help. Paramedics transported the youth to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, where he was then flown to Phoenix for further treatment and evaluation.
According to Pima Police Chief Diane Cauthen, the driver of the car was found not at fault for the collision, and no citations were issued.
