A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, after an 18-wheeler failed to stop as he was exiting his school bus along U.S. Highway 290 just east of Elgin, Texas.
18-Wheeler Driver was Unable to Stop in Time
Emergency crews responded to the accident scene around 4:15 p.m. on June 11th.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the school bus was stopped at a drop-off point near Christensen Road, with its stop sign out and lights flashing.
The driver later told police that he was unable to stop the 18-wheeler in time to avoid hitting the school bus and swerved to the left. The child tried to get out of the way, but was clipped by the front of the truck.
Child Had Tire Marks Across Stomach
A medical helicopter airlifted the little boy to a hospital in Austin, Texas. Fortunately, his injuries were not incapacitating and he was released yesterday afternoon.
“No, he has no broken bones, yes he has been talking,” a relative told FOX 7. “He has the neck brace, no injuries and only had scratches like he fell off a bike.”
She also noted that he had tire marks across his stomach.
The accident investigation is ongoing, and it’s not yet clear if anyone will be charged in connection with the crash.
85,000 Injured When Vehicles Failed to Stop for School Bus
In Texas, any driver who passes a stopped school bus while the sign is out can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by no more than a year in jail.
Last month, however, the Texas state house passed HB 4070, which would make it a third-degree felony to hit a person while passing a stopped school bus. Such an offense would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
According to Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, at least 85,000 children across the United States have been hurt when another vehicle failed to stop for a school bus.
“We all know what that means and yet, every year, there are children who are run over because somebody is in too big of a hurry to get to work to stop for that school bus,” he told the Austin American Statesman.
The bill still must be approved by the Texas state senate.
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Our Undefeated Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers are investigating the school bus crash along U.S. 290 near Elgin and will post an update if new information becomes available.
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