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SEARCHA 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.
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