Ohio Man Fatally Struck by School Bus

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A man was struck and killed by a school bus here on Friday when he stepped out of his stopped truck, police said.

At approximately 5:46 p.m., C.L. Jones, 75, was driving a pickup truck westbound on State Route 162 and stopped his vehicle, according to a news release from the Norwalk post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. As he was exiting the vehicle, Rosalie Keesy, 47, who was driving a school bus westbound on State Route 162, struck the rear of the truck and Jones. The bus then headed off the south side of the roadway and came to rest. The pickup truck came to rest after being pushed off the north side of the roadway, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Keesy suffered minor cuts and abrasions from the crash. She was treated at the scene by emergency responders and was released. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

Norwalk Reflector reports that it is unclear why Jones was getting out of his car when the crash happened.

Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be contributing factors in the crash, which is still under investigation, according to the State Highway Patrol.

Keesy had been transporting students who attend a school for migrant workers’ families that afternoon, according to Norwalk Reflector. Jeff Ritz, the superintendent for Willard City Schools, told the newspaper that Keesy had dropped off the last student when he received the call about the crash. He added “Our hearts and prayers go out to all involved, especially the family of Mr. Jones,” and that the district is awaiting the investigation results before moving forward.