In a horrifying situation last week, four Kansas-City schoolchildren were the victims of a hit-and-run while they rode to school on a bus. According to police reports, the bus was travelling through an intersection when a SUV ran a red light and crashed into the side of it. The SUV driver then fled the scene of the accident.
The crash left four children injured; luckily, their injuries have been classified as ‘minor’. Witnesses say the suspect appeared to be in his 20s and wearing a hooded sweatshirt. In an unrelated incident, a woman was recently killed by a Kansas City ATA bus.
Witnesses stated the woman was running along the side of the City bus, attempting to get the bus driver’s attention when she suddenly fell. The lady was fatally crushed under the rear tires. It was reported that the bus was travelling around 5 miles-per-hour at the time of the accident. At this time, the police have not reported issuing any traffic citations involving the incident.
Unfortunately, these incidents continue a trend of bus accidents that have been plaguing the Kansas City area. Depending on the unique situation, mass transit accidents can involve the fault of many different parties including: the bus driver, a third-party driver, the bus manufacturer, the school-bus company, the City, or even the tire manufacturer.
Please take special care when riding the bus, and ensure your children do the same.
Sources: KMBC.com, “4 Hurt When School Bus, SUV Collide,” 3/2/2011. Kctv5.com, “Woman Hit, Killed by City Bus,” 2/27/2011.