LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — A candidate for state representative in Massachusetts has been cited by police for striking two pedestrians with his minivan just minutes after leaving a debate.

Lowell police on Monday cited independent Fred Bahou with two counts of failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Each count carries a $200 fine.

Bahou had just finished debating Democrat Rady Mom at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell on Thursday when he struck two students. Both were taken to Lowell General Hospital with minor injuries.

Police said video surveillance shows that the students were in the crosswalk and halfway across the street when they were struck. Bahou did not appear to be speeding.

Bahou told The Sun (http://bit.ly/1rYpSa5 ) that police were just doing their job and called the accident “unfortunate.”

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Information from: The (Lowell, Mass.) Sun, http://www.lowellsun.com

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