5-Year-Old Boy Struck by Bus in Wisconsin
A pre-K student lost his life in an accident in Waukesha County while transferring to a shuttle to school. Details on the incident, community response, and the resulting routing changes, here.
Tragic start to 2025: A 5-year-old boy was struck and killed in Wisconsin on the first day back in school after the new year.
Photo: SBF/Canva
It’s bad news to start out 2025, with the first reported fatal school bus accident happening just two days into the new year.
Last week, a Wisconsin child was hit by a school bus and killed in a parking lot. It happened Thursday, Jan. 2 at Silver Spring Intermediate School in Sussex, Wis.
According to news reports, the pre-K student, a 5-year-old boy identified as Finn Katona was transferring to a shuttle at the time. There were other students on board.
By the next day, the Hamilton School District announced a routing change as a result of the accident, eliminating morning transfers and busing the school’s K4 students directly to Willow Springs Learning Center. Previously, Willow Springs students were escorted by staff and older student "bus buddies" to a shuttle at Silver Spring Intermediate School, which then took those students to Willow Springs.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office said the bus driver is cooperating with the investigation.
Classes were cancelled Friday, and a candlelight vigil was held that evening at an area church.
The district’s letter can be read on the FOX6 website.
More Safety
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →