A fatal school bus accident in New York City late last month claimed the life of a young boy. Police were called to the scene of the crash after eyewitnesses reported finding the victim lying in the street. The driver of the bus which struck the young boy was apparently unaware of the collision though camera footage from the bus clearly shows the young boy crossing in front of the vehicle and continued on his way.
The accident happened at roughly 8:30 AM on the morning of February 24th at the corner of Hooper Street and South 5th Street in Williamsburg. The young boy’s older brother made it onto the bus right before the victim was struck by the closing doors and tumbled under the wheels.
When EMTs arrived, it was evident that the boy had been killed instantly. NYPD investigators immediately began searching for the bus. Police officers requested the bus’s GPS coordinates in order to track the vehicle. Authorities were able to contact the driver and he stopped this bus about a mile away from the accident site. The driver was taken into custody but it’s unclear if any criminal charges will be filed.
The danger of very young children being missed by bus drivers and struck is so prevalent that many buses now come equipped with safety equipment, designed to protect the children. Often extendable barriers ensure that children pass far enough in front of the vehicle for the driver to see them—though it’s unclear if this particular bus was equipped with the hardware.
Only a thorough Investigation into by a competent and skilled personal injury attorney will reveal the ultimate cause of this tragic school bus accident in Brooklyn. Only then, can a viable claim be made against the driver, driver’s employer and owner of the school bus.
If your child has been injured on their way to school, contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel to explore the options available to you. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.