A Parent’s Worse Nightmare
Nine-year-old Florida boy, Elyas Amyr Marshall Gutierrez, was killed by his school bus driver. This happened when he tried to retrieve a football from under the moving bus. The nine-year-old boy had just gotten off the bus after being dropped off at his house. Unfortunately, when he dropped his football, which rolled under the bus, he decided to crawl under the bus and get it.
However, his school bus driver did not see him trying to get the ball. This is what caused the horrible tragedy. The driver began driving off while Elyas was under the wheels. “This is absolutely devastating for the family that is here, but also for our investigators that have to investigate this type of scene,” said Lieutenant Tara Crescenzi.
Elyas was a cancer survivor, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He had recently been diagnosed cancer-free. Elyas was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of only two. Elyas had been fighting it ever since. “He was the only student on the bus, so we are still trying to gather video from the bus and the clubhouse that is behind us and any witnesses that may have seen the crash,” stated Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Over 100 people came together to host a candlelight ceremony for the boy.
Ongoing Investigation
Officers have said that the bus driver had been hired by the Orange County Public School District for at least ten years. “It’s really intense, it’s really sad. It’s horrible,” said Samuel Santiago a witness of the incident. Santiago stated that he has arrived at the apartment complex at about 5 p.m.
He said it was heartbreaking to find out what happened to Elyas and seeing his parents devastated. “I just wanted to cry. It’s like a general vibe that everyone is going through the same thing, everybody is really sad,” said Santiago. This investigation will continue by interviewing the bus driver. As well as checking the security footage near the apartment.
“It’s going to be extremely tragic for a long period of time and probably the rest of their lives for what has happened here tonight,” said Lt. Crescenzi. Elyas school Principal, Erin Willis, released a statement recently about the unfortunate events. “I know I speak for our entire community when I express the terrible grief we are all feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this extremely difficult time.” Stated Principal Willis. The school has offered grieving counseling for all the students and staff to help them cope through this tragedy.
How To Be Safe Around School Buses
Throughout the years, school bus safety lessons have decreased in schools. This lesson is incredibly important, specially for young children. Here are some tips for children to stay safe around these buses.
- Make sure the child gets to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
- Once the bus arrives, make sure the child is about six feet away from the curb to avoid an accident.
- Make sure to not get on the bus until the bus has made a complete stop and the doors are open.
- Once in the bus, find a seat immediately and face forward.
- Make sure to use the handrails when exiting the bus to avoid falling.
- It is important to NEVER walk behind a bus.
- If something is dropped near the bus do NOT pick it up, instead, alert the bus driver of the situation so they can help safely.
It is important for all children to memorize these rules to remain safe and avoid serious accidents.
Written By Erika Cano
Sources:
People: 9-Year-Old Boy Dies After Crawling Underneath School Bus to Retrieve Football
ABC News: 9-year-old boy in remission from leukemia killed after crawling beneath school bus to retrieve ball
CBS News: Florida boy, 9, killed by school bus moments after crawling under LAMERS
The Passenger Professionals: 8 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Johannes Thiel Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Ben Townsend Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
