Boy Dies in Bicycle Accident
Police said eight-year-old Jordan League was riding his bicycle on Christopher Ct. at about 7:40 p.m. when he rode into Christopher St. in front of a 1985 Dodge pickup that was southbound on Christopher St.
The driver of the truck, Michael McNeal, 39, attempted to avoid the collision by braking and swerving to the left, but the bicycle collided with the right front quarter of the truck, knocking League to the ground.
League, a third grade student at Zavala Elementary School, was not wearing a helmet and suffered a head injury. He died at Medical Center of Arlington at 8:50 p.m.
“We have mobilized our crisis intervention team,” said Grand Prairie ISD spokesperson Sam Buchmeyer. He said counselors are at Zavala to help students, faculty, and parents. The counselors will remain at the school for as long as needed, he added.
Police said McNeal did not have a driver’s license and his state issued ID card was suspended for previous No Driver’s License violations. He was arrested at the scene, charged with Driving While License Invalid, a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Evidence gathered at the scene indicates that the truck was travelling at or just below the 30 mph speed limit. Investigators determined the primary cause of the collision is the bicyclist failing to yield to the pick-up.
This is the 8th traffic fatality in Grand Prairie this year.
