Billings teen critically injured in school-zone crash sparks demand for faster safety upgrades
A 13-year-old boy in Billings, Montana, is fighting for his life after being struck by a vehicle near Will James Middle School, prompting local officials and residents to demand accelerated traffic safety improvements in school zones.
Key points
- Chase Lantz, 13, was hit by an eastbound vehicle at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Rehberg Lane around 7:24 a.m. on September 24, 2026, while walking to school.
- Police reported the impact threw the student approximately 200 feet down the road, resulting in life-threatening injuries including a brain bleed and spinal disconnection.
- Lantz is currently in critical condition at a hospital in Denver, with a GoFundMe campaign for his family raising over $12,000 as of September 24.
- Billings Public Works confirmed that construction for 19 'Safe Routes to School' projects, funded by a $3.6 million federal grant, is not scheduled to begin until 2027.
- City Council members urged drivers to slow down and adhere to traffic rules immediately, while community members criticized the city for not addressing safety concerns sooner.
Background
This incident follows a broader national trend of heightened scrutiny regarding child safety in school environments. In August 2026, Fairfax County, Virginia, reinstated crossing guards at high schools after a similar pedestrian accident, while Omaha, Nebraska, debated the use of police shock gloves in schools. Additionally, rising back-to-school costs and AI safety concerns have kept child welfare at the forefront of public discourse, making physical infrastructure safety a critical local issue.
Why it matters
The critical injury of a child in a designated school zone highlights the gap between existing safety funding and actual implementation timelines. It forces a debate on whether current infrastructure investments are sufficient or if immediate, non-construction-based measures are needed to protect students.
What to watch
The Billings community is expected to continue pressuring city officials to expedite the 2027 construction schedule for the 19 Safe Routes to School projects. Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash circumstances will continue, and counseling services will remain available for students who witnessed the incident.
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