WENDELL, N.C. — Efren Vences, the man accused of striking and killing 13-year-old Keith Jones at his bus stop Tuesday morning, apologized to the boy’s family on Wednesday, WNCN reports. Meanwhile, thousands of dollars in donations have come in for the boy’s funeral expenses through an online fundraising effort.

On Tuesday, Vences turned himself in to authorities in the death of Jones, according to the news outlet. Vences is charged with felony hit and run, misdemeanor death by a motor vehicle, and operating a vehicle without a license. The Wake County Detention Center told WNCN he was being held under a $35,000 bond. Vences appeared in court Wednesday morning. Afterward, he apologized for what happened, said that the incident was destroying him, and that he would be cooperative, according to the news outlet. He added, "something did hit my car, but it was dark so I couldn't really tell what it was."

Derek Graham of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction told WNCN many students will be getting on buses when it's dark, and it is a good idea for parents to talk to their bus drivers about the best places to get picked up, and to make sure the children are a safe distance away.

On Wednesday, a Go Fund Me page to raise money to help pay for funeral expenses had raised more than $13,000 toward a goal of $15,000, according to the news outlet. As of Thursday morning, the goal has been increased to $20,000 and the page has raised $16,551.

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