Tragedy has devastated a New York state elementary school community when a kindergartner and mother were reportedly hit and killed by a school bus on the way to school. When the accident occurred, the unidentified family was reportedly headed to Mamaroneck Avenue School in Mamaroneck. The bus was transporting special education students to the school, and none were reported injured.
The 68-year-old bus driver from Mount Vernon stayed at the scene and is said to be cooperating with police, according to CBS News. Now, authorities are piecing together what happened, and school administrators are working with their devastated school community to help them move forward after the heartbreaking accident.
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The mother and child were reportedly in the crosswalk when the accident happened.
Mamaroneck Police Chief Sandra Diruzza said during a news conference that the 43-year-old mother and 6-year-old boy were walking to Mamaroneck Avenue School when they were struck by the bus. The child died at the scene, and his mother was taken to an area hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. According to Diruzza, the bus turned left with a green light, while pedestrians reportedly had a "walk sign."
The crosswalk was very busy at the time.
Diruzza said that just before 9 a.m., when the accident happened, the area was filled with adults and children getting ready for school. She said it appears this was a tragic accident and urged drivers to be diligent about following protocols.
"Motorists are supposed to yield to pedestrians that are in the crosswalk. That's the way that intersection works. We're still investigating, looking over video footage to see exactly what happened," the police chief explained.
Parents claim the area where the accident occurred is congested and dangerous.
Mamaroneck resident John Hunter told CBS News he was driving by the scene, and it was chaotic.
"There were dozens of kids around. Very congested there every morning. Couple people running around screaming," he said.
Parent Maryann Murphy agreed and told CBS News, "It's horrifying. School is almost over. There is no reason to even happen. It's also a reminder for drivers: Slow down. You're in a school zone. There's signs posted everywhere."
The school district released a statement.
Mamaroneck school officials shared their sadness in a press release obtained by CBS News. It reads in part, "There is nothing more difficult for a community to experience than the loss of life, and we know everyone in the Mamaroneck and Larchmont communities is heartbroken by this news. We know that the death of a child is particularly difficult for other children to process. At this time, we have informed our staff of this incredible loss, and social workers and psychologists are fully deployed at MAS."
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The bus driver likely will not face charges.
The unnamed bus driver is reportedly cooperating with police. Diruzza said the bus driver provided investigators with a blood sample, and at this point, no charges are pending.
She called the incident a very "tragic accident."
