CALDWELL — Two high school students walking to school were struck by vehicles in Caldwell on Monday and Tuesday morning, prompting safety reminders from the Caldwell Police Department and the Caldwell School District.

CPD said in its release it is urging the community to take extra precautions after it responded to the two incidents. It also said both students suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

“Each incident highlights the critical importance of attentiveness and safety for drivers, students and parents,” CPD said in the press release.

The Caldwell School District also released a statement following the second incident Tuesday morning, asking the community to prioritize student safety, especially during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal times.

According to the CPD, Monday’s incident occurred near Caldwell High School, which is on South Indiana Avenue, and Tuesday’s incident occurred at Willow Street and South Montana Avenue, which is near Syringa Middle School.

Jessica Watts, director of communications for the Caldwell School District, told the Idaho Press the student struck Tuesday was heading to Canyon Springs High School.

She said Syringa Middle School initiated a short lockdown following the incident to ensure hallways were cleared quickly and students remained safe, which allowed school administrators to support first responders efficiently.

Both students were using crosswalks, but not in the area that had flashing school safety lights recently installed by the city, the CPD release said.

The driver who struck the student Monday is being charged with reckless driving, and the driver involved Tuesday is being cited for inattentive and careless driving, CPD said.

Amanda Smith, the mother of one of the students, said her 15-year-old daughter underwent a five-hour surgery Monday afternoon after suffering of a broken femur and jaw.

Smith said she rushed to the scene of the accident after receiving the call that her daughter had been struck by a vehicle, only to find her already inside the ambulance, covered in blood and clothes cut open from her injury.

Smith said her daughter’s first response to her was, “Hi Mom — hi Mommy, I’m OK Mom.”

As Smith sits at the hospital alongside her daughter during recovery, she said she is devastated to have her daughter go through the pain, heartache, and trauma caused from the incident.

Through her tears, she told the Idaho Press, “As a parent, it’s devastating to watch her go through all of this, and the pain — it affects her whole life — her whole life will be changed forever,” Smith said.

She said she was heartbroken when she found out that there was a similar accident the following morning — less than 24 hours after her daughter’s surgery.

“Kids should be safe, they should be able to walk to school safe, and they should feel safe,” Smith said. “And just at this point, especially after another kid was just hit today in less than 24 hours — it’s heartbreaking that a kid can’t even walk to school without feeling like they’re not safe.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, no update was available on the student who was hit in the second incident.

CPD said in its release it will be increasing patrols around schools and initiating a social media campaign to educate the public about the issue.

“Student safety is a shared responsibility,” Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram said. “Even one is too many and we are hoping both students have a quick recovery.”

Watts said the Caldwell School District will be meeting with Mayor-elect Eric Phillips and its student resources officers on how to increase student safety.

The Caldwell School District reminds the community:

• Observe all posted school zone speed limits
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Watch for pedestrians
• Stop for buses loading and unloading children
• Be prepared to stop at any time

The Caldwell Police Department reminds parents to speak with their children about safe walking habits including:

• Using designated crosswalks
• Making eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Staying alert, avoiding phones and earbuds near roadways
• Wearing bright or reflective clothing during early morning hours

It also urged drivers to:

• Slow down in school zones and residential areas
• Stay alert for students who may enter the roadway unexpectedly
• Avoid distractions and keep attention on the road
• Follow all traffic laws related to crosswalks and student pedestrians