Canyon Independent School District has issued a public statement following a serious pedestrian-vehicle crash that injured a West Plains High School student Monday morning. The student was struck by a vehicle while using a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Loop 335 (also known as Helium Road) and Arden Road shortly after 8:30 a.m.
According to district officials and local law enforcement, the student was walking away from campus when the incident occurred. Emergency responders arrived quickly and transported the student to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
In a statement released Tuesday, Canyon ISD expressed its concern and support for the student and their family, saying,
“We are grateful for the quick actions of first responders and we are keeping the student and family in our thoughts as they focus on recovery.”
The district also emphasized its continued collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to address ongoing traffic and pedestrian safety issues in the area surrounding the school.
“Canyon ISD continues to work with TxDOT to improve traffic and pedestrian safety in this area,” the statement read.
Ongoing Safety Efforts at Loop 335 and Arden Road
The intersection of Loop 335 and Arden Road has long been under scrutiny due to growing traffic volumes and increased pedestrian activity, particularly during school hours. The incident has renewed concerns among parents, students, and local residents about the adequacy of safety measures in the area.
TxDOT’s Amarillo district office confirmed that an evaluation for a possible traffic signal at the intersection is in its final stages. Once complete, the findings will be made public. According to TxDOT’s procedures, traffic signal installations on state highways require a detailed engineering and traffic study. These studies consider a variety of factors including pedestrian usage, traffic speed and volume, school-related crossing activity, and prior crash data.
A spokesperson for TxDOT noted that this area has been under review since at least August of last year, when the agency began evaluating a revised school traffic pattern at the intersection. In response to congestion and safety concerns, TxDOT also constructed a turnaround between Arden Road and Hillside Road to improve traffic flow and reduce potential hazards.
Loop 335 was initially designed to follow Soncy Road, but after several environmental and traffic impact studies, the alignment was shifted to Helium Road — a change that has increased the roadway’s use by student commuters and local traffic alike.
Community Concerns and Next Steps
Following Monday’s incident, community members and local officials have expressed urgency in finalizing and implementing improved safety measures. Some residents are calling for immediate interim solutions such as more school zone flashers, additional signage, or crossing guards during peak times.
Canyon ISD has said it will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for safety upgrades. The district also plans to work with parents and city leaders to discuss concerns and ensure a comprehensive response moving forward.
The identity and current condition of the injured student have not been publicly released.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. No charges have been announced at this time.
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