Student Dies After Tripping, Falling Under School Bus
The 10-year-old Missouri student is apparently running alongside the bus and trying to get the bus driver’s attention when he falls and is caught under the wheels.
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A student here died on Friday morning after he was run over by his school bus.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that at about 7:09 a.m., Zjequalin Cody, 10, tripped while he was apparently running alongside the bus and trying to get the bus driver’s attention. He then fell and was caught underneath the wheels, Sgt. Clark Parrott told the newspaper. (A statement released by the Poplar Bluff School District, obtained by KFVS, noted that according to the Highway Patrol, the driver did not know the student was running near the bus.)
Parrott also said that a motorist in a pickup truck behind the bus called 911 at around 7:09 a.m., KFVS reports. Cody was taken to the hospital, where he died right before 7:44 a.m. There were other students aboard the bus at the time of the incident, according to the news source.
Cody was new to the school and reportedly didn’t know the bus schedule, the Highway Patrol told KFVS.
The school district’s statement also said that the Highway Patrol’s major crash team was performing a mechanical inspection with the district’s full cooperation, and that a crisis center was established to help students, parents, and staff.
More Safety

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
