Vehicle strikes child causing injuries

A Doe Run child was seriously injured Sunday when his bicycle was struck by a car in St. Francois County.

According to Missouri Highway Patrol reports, William J. Cotton, 11, was northbound on the east shoulder of Missouri 221 at 5:20 p.m. when he tried to cross the road in front of a northbound 2001 Ford Excursion driven by Ronald J. Rothlisberger, 39, of Ironton. The Excursion struck the bicycle about .1 mile north of 1st Street in Doe Run.

William was taken by air ambulance to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. No injuries were reported for Rothlisberger, who had been wearing a seat belt.

Damage to the bicycle was listed as moderate and damage to the Excursion was listed as minor.