Four children and one adult were struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and East Brookline Street in the South End on the morning of April 23, according to the Boston Police Department.
Officers responding to a radio call around 10:29 a.m. found the group had been hit while crossing the street. Boston EMS treated all five at the scene before transporting them to a local hospital for evaluation of possible minor injuries, police said. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been announced.
The crash renewed concerns about pedestrian safety at one of the South End's busiest intersections and revived debate over Boston's use of "concurrent" traffic signals, where pedestrians and turning drivers may receive a green signal at the same time. Police have not publicly identified the cause of the crash, and city officials have not said whether signal timing played a role.
City Councilor Ed Flynn, whose district includes the South End, has for years pushed the city to move away from concurrent signals in high-foot-traffic neighborhoods, arguing they create unnecessary risks for pedestrians, particularly near schools and family centers.
Residents also raised concerns through 311 and neighborhood forums following the crash, calling on the city to reevaluate the signal configuration at Harrison Avenue and East Brookline Street. NBC10 Boston first reported the incident. The police investigation remains ongoing.