Student in Coma After Being Hit by Truck While Exiting School Bus
The 7-year-old Maryland girl safely crosses in front of the bus, which has its red lights on and stop arm out, but then is hit by a truck, police said. She is in a medically-induced coma.
The 7-year-old Maryland girl safely crossed in front of her bus, which had its red lights on and stop arm out, then was hit by a truck, police said. File photo
The 7-year-old Maryland girl safely crossed in front of her bus, which had its red lights on and stop arm out, then was hit by a truck, police said. File photo
BRYANTOWN, Md. — A student here was seriously injured after being hit by a truck while crossing the street, having just exited her school bus on Tuesday afternoon, police said, and is now in a coma.
At 3:45 p.m., a Charles County Public Schools bus was stopped in the northbound lane of the roadway, dropping off a 7-year-old girl, according to a news release from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses said that the bus had activated its flashing red lights and stop arm. The girl safely crossed in front of the bus and was crossing the southbound lanes when she was struck by a Ford F-250 that was operated by a 35-year-old woman.
The driver of the truck remained on the scene and the girl was flown to Children’s Hospital with critical injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The crash is under investigation and charges are pending.
ABC7 reported on Wednesday that the girl, whom the news source identified as Skyla Shirriel, was put into a medically-induced coma on Tuesday evening. She is expected to survive, according to the news source.
More Safety
From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →