Windsor

Crosswalk approved for area where 4-year-old was hit by city bus

Less than a month after a 4-year-old girl was hit by a bus, Windsor city council has approved having a crosswalk installed at that location.

Lila Jane Zuest is still in hospital but recovering well

Lila Jane Zuest was hit by a transit bus in Windsor, Ont. on May 27. She was in critical condition after the collision but her mother said the girl is recovering well. (Courtney Belanger)

Less than a month after a 4-year-old girl was hit by a bus, Windsor city council has approved having a crosswalk installed at that location.

The change is expected to happen on Prince Road outside of Mic Mac Park sometime this summer.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said little Lila Jane Zuest is still in the hospital in London, but is now recovering well.

"I spoke to the mother of the girl today who is actually improving. It's very good news, and she's actually been a very compassionate individual," said Dilkens. 

"She was very concerned about our driver. Our driver met with her. These are real special people. We did the warrant analysis. It does meet the warrant analysis at this location, and council decided to move forward and fund this particular location."

Ward 2 Coun. John Elliott represents the neighbourhood.

"Unfortunately, it takes an accident to make us all stop, myself included, because I drive that corridor all day, every day," he said.

"I live right around the corner and I work right down the street, and to have the foresight to think, 'OK. This intersection has become that busy. The park is right there. We need a pedestrian crosswalk.' I didn't even think of it."

Elliott recently watched a video of the girl spending time with her older brother at the hospital in London.

"He was in the room with her, entertaining her, and man, she was just cracking up, laughing and he had her running around the room and just as happy as she wants to be, so she's come along," he said. 

The young girl still has a long way to go, said Elliott, but calls it a "miracle" that she survived the incident. 

City council voted two weeks ago to fast track the traffic analysis for the Prince Road site.

Courtney Belanger, left, holds a picture of her 4-year-old niece Lila Zuest outside of a Windsor city council meeting on June 4, 2018. The little girl's family were petitioning for a crosswalk. (Jason Viau/CBC)