Batavia has increasingly adopted a data-driven approach to traffic analysis. In the wake of a recent, severe pedestrian-involved hit and run at the intersection of East Wilson and River Street, we wanted to dig a little deeper into the numbers.
A recent report from the Batavia Police Department brings pedestrian and cyclist safety into sharp focus, detailing roadway crash statistics across the city from 2020 through early 2026. While citywide figures show expected seasonal and annual fluctuations, the data explicitly highlights the East Wilson and River Street intersection as an area of concern—one with a notably higher rate of severe injuries.
Citywide Trends vs. The Wilson & River Intersection
Between 2020 and 2026, Batavia recorded a total of 58 roadway crashes involving pedestrians or pedalcyclists (excluding incidents on private property). Annual totals have varied, peaking at 13 crashes in both 2020 and 2023, and dipping to a low of 4 in 2021.
Of those 58 citywide crashes, six incidents (10.34%) occurred at or within one block of the East Wilson Street and River Street intersection. Notably, the only pedestrian/cyclist crash reported so far in 2026 occurred at this exact intersection.
Injury Severity: A Closer Look at the Data
While the East Wilson and River Street intersection accounts for just over 10% of total crashes, the severity of the injuries sustained in this immediate area is disproportionately high compared to the rest of the city.
Citywide Injury Breakdown (58 Total Crashes):
- Suspected Minor Injury: 44.8% (26 crashes)
- No Indication of Injury: 22.4% (13 crashes)
- Suspected Serious Injury: 19% (11 crashes)
- Possible Injury: 12.1% (7 crashes)
- Fatal: 1.7% (1 crash, which occurred in 2023)
East Wilson St / River St Breakdown (6 Total Crashes):
- Suspected Serious Injury: 50% (3 crashes)
- Possible Injury: 33.3% (2 crashes)
- Suspected Minor Injury: 16.7% (1 crash)
- No Indication of Injury / Fatal: 0%
Half of all crashes at this specific intersection resulted in suspected serious injuries, a stark contrast to the 19% serious injury rate seen citywide. Furthermore, while over a fifth of citywide crashes resulted in no injuries, every recorded crash at the Wilson/River intersection resulted in at least a possible or minor injury.
Leading Causes and Seasonal Spikes
A review of the primary contributory causes from 2020 to 2026 reveals a consistent issue: “Failing to Yield Right-of-Way.” This was overwhelmingly the leading cause of pedestrian and cyclist accidents every single year. Other recurring factors included disregarding traffic signals, driving distracted (both inside and outside the vehicle), and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
The data also reveals strong seasonal trends. Crashes are least likely to occur during the winter months (with January and December seeing only 1 and 2 total crashes over the six-year period, respectively). Incidents spike significantly as the weather warms, with May (10 crashes), October (8 crashes), and June/August (7 crashes each) representing the most dangerous months for pedestrians and cyclists on Batavia roadways.
Moving forward, the city will likely review safety enhancements for the East Wilson and River Street intersection. Possible solutions could involve adjusting signal timing, adding new traffic controls, or shifting lane layouts. However, it is still too early to determine exactly what these measures would look like, or if significant improvements can be achieved without structural changes to the streets and would also need to involve IDOT approval.
Author: Jim Fahrenbach
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