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Boy, 8, hit by vehicle in Ottawa County; Air lifted to hospital

Posted at 6:19 PM, Jun 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-06-01 22:16:23-04

JAMESTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An 8-year-old boy was flown to a Grand Rapids hospital with critical  injuries after being hit by a car on Monday.

It happened around 5:35 p.m. on Adams Street just west of 40th Avenue in Jamestown Township.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said 54-year-old Todd Berends from Holland was traveling west on Adams Street when he hit the boy, Austin Lotterman, from the passenger side of his 2003 Honda Insight.

Police said witnesses saw the boy running toward the road. They say he stopped to look right, but never looked left and started running into the street, likely to the mailbox across the street.

The driver, a physician’s assistant, was on his way home from work when it happened.  Officials said he administered aide to the boy until medical personnel arrived.

Witnesses told police it didn’t appear that Berends was speeding when he hit the boy. The posted speed limit is 55 mph.

Police don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash and the driver likely won’t face charges.

Lotterman was airlifted to DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids where he is listed in critical condition. The boy suffered serious injuries was unconscious and not breathing when he was taken from the scene, according to Sgt. Steve Austin.

The investigation is ongoing.