Local

Report: No issues with truck brakes or traffic lights in crash that killed 5-year-old Andover girl

ANDOVER, Mass — Police say there were no issues with the brakes of the truck that struck and killed a 5-year-old girl at a busy Andover intersection last week, according to The Eagle Tribune.

Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe provided the update on the investigation into Sidney Olson’s death at a Select Board meeting Monday night.

Olson was traversing an Elm Street crosswalk with a family member, on her way to art class, when she was hit by the Freightliner truck on May 9. State police say Sidney was riding a scooter. The Freightliner truck was stopped at the red light. When the truck moved, it struck her in the crosswalk.

Keefe told Andover town officials that the signals in the area were all working properly and that all the truck’s brake systems were functional. Additionally, the truck was not speeding at the time.

The Eagle Tribune reports that Town Manager Andrew Flanagan will institute a traffic study into the intersection where Olson was struck. Flanagan says the funds were approved at the May 1 Town Meeting and he has been authorized to begin work earlier than they would normally be available.

MassDOT is also conducting a safety audit.

No charges have been filed against the driver of the truck.

Sidney’s family released a statement last week, calling the young girl’s passing “an impossible void” in their lives.

“She was fiercely creative, styling her own outfits, choreographing elaborate performances, and filling our home with her unique brand of abstract art, unlike anything we’ve seen. She picked flowers everywhere she went, often plucking a rose from the garden in front of Enterprise Bank, despite her parents’ objections. She memorized every lyric to a dozen Taylor Swift songs, gladly taking the microphone to sing along in crowded karaoke sessions,” her family added.

Sidney’s family now hopes the town will take swift action to ensure tragedy doesn’t strike again.

“Our greatest hope is that Sidney’s boundless love for everyone encourages others to look out for the common good of our community following this tragedy, her parents said. “This intersection has long been considered dangerous. While we’re not engineers, we also know our community can do better. We hope the town makes fast changes to that and other high-traffic intersections so no one has to experience the pain we feel right now.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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