Dearborn trustees call for focus on pedestrian safety after student struck near Fordson High

Board members and city officials discussed a vehicle-pedestrian crash involving a Fordson High School student during the Jan. 13 Dearborn City School District meeting, describing the student as in critical condition and urging coordinated steps to improve pedestrian safety near district schools.

The district said staff have provided support to the student’s family and connected them with school social workers and counselors. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Dearborn Police were cited as partners in follow-up work; the district said the driver has been charged and the matter is progressing through the legal system.

Why it matters: trustees described the incident as a tragedy and urged a comprehensive review of traffic and pedestrian safety near school campuses, noting that some crossings are on state or county roads and therefore require external coordination.

Superintendent Dr. Maleko asked for a moment of silence for the family and said the district would continue to provide support. Dr. Miller reported that the student was struck the day before the holidays and remains in critical condition; staff and trustees visited the family in hospital and offered counseling and other supports. Trustees said the student’s sister witnessed the collision.

Trustees and the mayor said traffic studies and prior safety reviews have been done for the corridor near Ford Road; trustees asked the city, police and county to coordinate improvements to crosswalks, signals and traffic calming. Chief Shaheen and the mayor were cited as working with the district; trustees noted some lighting and signal controls in the area are under state or county jurisdiction, which adds complexity.

Trustees described long-standing concerns about pedestrian safety at multiple city locations and urged renewed emphasis on prevention, driver education and enforcement. Trustee Berry described local leaders’ visits and ongoing communications with the family; Trustee Pantheska and Trustee Watts urged continued education for students and families about defensive pedestrian behavior and safe driving. Several trustees said driver education efforts and enforcement are part of the response, but that infrastructure changes will require cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

What comes next: trustees urged that student safety be elevated as a standalone agenda item for future meetings and asked staff to continue coordinating with city public safety officials on short-term and longer-term interventions.