A quiet Wednesday afternoon on Cherokee Street in New Bedford turned tragic when a child riding a bicycle was struck and killed by a motor vehicle, authorities said. The collision happened at about 3:30 p.m. in the area of Cherokee Street, where responding officers found the young rider suffering from fatal injuries. Police said the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
According to Boston 25 News, the New Bedford Police Traffic Division, the Massachusetts State Police CPAC unit and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation. Mayor Jon Mitchell offered the family's deepest condolences and called the loss "a tragedy so profound," the station reported.
Local context
The crash comes amid a recent run of deadly pedestrian and bicycle collisions in New Bedford, a worrying spike in pedestrian deaths that has rattled residents and city leaders. Local reporting earlier this year documented multiple fatal incidents and renewed calls for stepped up enforcement and safety measures.
What investigators do next
The involvement of specialized state units and the district attorney's office typically signals a detailed, methodical investigation is underway. The Massachusetts State Police's Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section (CARS) is the team that documents and reconstructs serious crashes and often assists local departments on fatal collisions, according to Mass.gov. Officials have not released the child's age or other identifying details as the probe continues.
Police have not provided additional information about the vehicle or the child's identity, Boston 25 News reported. City and law enforcement officials are expected to update the public as the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and state troopers continue their work.
