LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville second grader was struck by a JCPS school bus while crossing the street on his way to school Monday morning.
Around 8 a.m., a bus driver hit the 8-year-old boy right in front of Luhr Elementary School, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Zovind Dasal lives doors down from where the incident happened. He said he was taking his kids to their bus stop when they saw several police cars surrounding the bus.
"It was bus 2044. I saw some kids clothes here and another thing was there," Dasal said.
LMPD said the driver was traveling southbound on Fegenbush Lane near Hollow Creek Road.
Investigators say the boy was walking to school with his father and may have darted in front of the empty bus.
Officials said there's normally a traffic guard stationed at the crosswalk, but they were off for bereavement at the time of the crash Monday.
"When the bus doesn't have a guard on there, it's not safe for everybody," Dasal said, adding even when one is present, he is still fearful for students' lives.
Dasal said Fegenbush Lane is always filled with moving cars and children playing during drop off. The bus stop for Audubon Traditional Elementary is also located in front of Luhr Elementary, adding to an already congested area.
"Very dangerous for the kids," he said.
The young boy was transported to a children's hospital in critical condition. He remains in critical, but stable condition.
Dasal is hoping for a speedy recovery, but said JCPS needs to make necessary changes before another tragedy strikes.
LMPD's Traffic Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.
We will update this story with more information as we learn more.
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