SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

6-Year-Old Student Fatally Struck by School Bus

The student is hit after running in front of the bus as it drives away from the bus stop. She is transported to the hospital, where she later succumbs to her injuries.

Sadiah Thompson
Sadiah ThompsonAssistant Editor
November 19, 2020
2 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

“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.

More Safety

Graphic illustrating a fatal school bus incident in New York, featuring a close-up view of the front of a yellow school bus with a cracked-glass overlay and the headline, "7-Year-Old Fatally Struck in New York," dated July 9, 2026, alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJuly 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

Read More →
School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJune 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredJune 22, 2026

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

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 →
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

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 →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

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 →
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

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 →
BusPatrol cameras on the side of a school bus.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMay 6, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
A group of people in business attire pose for a photo in front of a school bus, with text reading "Legislative Roundup: May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 6, 2026

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 →