Student death leads to call for tougher bus passing legislation
Kim Koenigs, the mother of a student who befriended Kadyn Halverson, starts a "Kadyn's Law" Facebook page in honor of the girl, who was killed by a motorist who failed to stop as she was walking across a road to board her school bus. The page calls for legislation that would provide more stringent laws for drivers who illegally pass school buses.
KENSETT, Iowa — The mother of a student who befriended Kadyn Halverson has started a "Kadyn's Law" Facebook page in honor of the girl, who was killed by a motorist who failed to stop as she was walking across a road to board her school bus on May 10.
Kim Koenigs dedicated the page to Halverson and her family, but the page is also a call for legislation that would provide tougher laws for drivers who illegally pass school buses that are loading or unloading students, the Des Moines Register reports. The page has already attracted more than 3,000 friends, according to Koenigs.
Aaron Gunderson, 31, was held briefly after the accident that killed Halverson, as previously reported by SBF. No charges have yet been filed against Gunderson, pending a state investigation that is not yet complete.
State Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) told the Des Moines Register she would anticipate the introduction of some legislation in the next session.
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