6-Year-Old Student Fatally Struck by School Bus

A 6-year-old student in Texas was struck and killed by her school bus on Tuesday morning, according to CBS DFW.

The incident occurred at the student’s bus stop in Conroe, about 40 miles north of Houston, in front of her family’s home, according to the news source. Police told CBS DFW that the student, who was identified as Sophia, ran in front of the bus and was then hit.

Sophia’s grandmother, Candy Zabala, told CBS DFW that the school bus was running late, so Sophia and her father decided to walk back to their home so the father could take the family’s newborn baby inside. Zabala added that Sophia probably thought she saw the bus and decided to run towards it.

One neighbor, Melanie Estrada, told KTRK that she tried to help after hearing someone scream. Estrada told the news source that she saw Sophia bleeding from her head and her mouth and decided to call 911. Emergency personnel reportedly arrived to the scene, and Sophia was transported to a hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The Conroe Police Department interviewed witnesses and reviewed dashcam video from the school bus as part of an ongoing crash investigation, KTRK reports.

The bus driver, who is a 13-year veteran with Conroe Independent School District (ISD), apparently didn’t see Sophia, according to KHOU. Sgt. Jeff Smith of Conroe Police Department told the news source that at the time of the incident, the bus driver had already picked up students at the bus stop and started to drive away just as Sophia ran in front of the bus.

Officials from Conroe ISD released a statement, obtained by KTRK, about the incident.

“We are heartbroken and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who have been impacted by this devastating loss,” school district officials said. They added that crisis counselors will be available to students and staff at Anderson Elementary School.

A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses. As of press time, the account exceeded its goal of raising $3,000.