GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A teenage student died after he was hit by a pickup truck while waiting for his school bus on Friday, police said.

According to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, the 15-year-old high schooler was standing on the sidewalk at his designated bus stop before 7 a.m. Investigators determined that an eastbound Ford Ranger crossed over the center turn lane and the westbound lane, then drove onto the sidewalk where the student was standing.

Police said that the truck struck the student, knocking him to the ground, and then veered off of the sidewalk and stopped in the street a short distance away.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and began treating the 15-year-old for life-threatening injuries, and he was transported to a hospital. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety said it was later notified that the teen did not survive his injuries.

Local news sources identified the victim as Malachi Batty. A memorial was held for Batty at Grants Pass High School on Friday night.

The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety identified the pickup truck driver as 21-year-old Christopher Faibish. Investigators interviewed him at the scene, and they found a small amount of heroin in his truck.

Faibish was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide and unlawful possession of heroin. Police said that the investigation was ongoing.

About the author
Thomas McMahon

Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

Thomas had covered the pupil transportation industry with School Bus Fleet since 2002. When he's not writing articles about yellow buses, he enjoys running long distances and making a joyful noise with his guitar.

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