Young Teen’s Fatal Collision with Lakeland School Bus
10News in Tampa reports that a 14-year-old Lakeland High School student was killed Tuesday afternoon, January 17, after she was hit by a school bus as she crossed the street after school was let out. A substitute driver was behind the wheel of the bus, which had 28 students from Southwest Elementary School. The young teen was heading across West Beacon Road when the bus driver made a left turn and hit her. The teen was taken to Tampa General Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4:37 p.m.
Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of this young girl. Please keep the family in your prayers. Her school was devastated upon hearing the news, and counselors were made available to students.
Dangerous Intersection?
Parents claim the intersection of West Beacon Road, just south of Camphor Drive, is a dangerous intersection because of the speed of traffic and the lack of crossing guards. Lakeland Police are investigating what condition led to this tragic death.
None of the school children on the bus were injured.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation, but that accidents usually involve pedestrians near a school bus. The state reports that between 1998 and 2002, there were four children killed while preparing to get on or depart a school bus.
Oftentimes, it is the carelessness of motorists who fail to stop when in the vicinity of a school bus that leads to the fatalities of school children. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the Lakeland pedestrian accident attorneys with Farah & Farah can help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Call 1(800) 533-3555 for a free consultation.
Source: http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/232774/8/13-year-old-Katlyn-Rickman-killed-after-Lakeland-school-bus-crash
