Kindergarten student killed while trying to board bus

Star News Online ^ | November 05. 2003 | The Associated Press

[yonif]

A teenage driver hit two kindergarten students Wednesday morning as they were attempting to board a bus, killing one child and critically injuring her cousin, authorities said.

Ana Maria Sola, 6, died at Rowan Regional Medical Center. Her cousin, Brenda Sola, 5, was at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem with fractures and a head injury. She was in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Brandon Potts, 17, apparently didn't stop for the school bus' warning lights and stop sign, said State Highway Patrol Trooper L.J. Staley.

The district attorney was reviewing the case Wednesday before deciding whether to file charges against the senior at West Rowan High School.

Potts was driving a red Honda Prelude south on N.C. 801 about 7:30 a.m. when he approached a Woodleaf Elementary school bus going in the opposite direction, investigators said.

The school-bus driver said she yelled to three children coming to the bus to stop when she saw the car. An older boy did, but the two girls didn't.

School officials gathered at the scene and shared hugs and tears when they learned of the accident.

Woodleaf Principal Vicki Stevens said that Ana and Brenda were "two of the sweetest little girls you ever want to meet. ... They were really eager to learn."

West Rowan officials also said Potts was a good student.

"He's very good hearted," said band director Tammy Reyes, who taught Potts for two years. "He's not mean natured or anything. This will, I'm sure, devastate him."

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"He's very good hearted," said band director Tammy Reyes, who taught Potts for two years. "He's not mean natured or anything. This will, I'm sure, devastate him."

Good, he should be devastated. He also broke the law and killed a little kid. He should also be prosecuted.

[steplock]

My big question is....

Why were 2 kindergarteners walking across a road alone? Parents? Crossing Guard?

Sounds to me that there was a LOT of shirking of responsibilities around here besides the boy who ran them over!

Must be in an "underpriveledged" area where kids are only worth what welfare can bring.

This will bring in more money - they'll SUE the school, city, state, etc

[Saundra Duffy]

Oh, no. May God bless the grieving families. This is a tragedy beyond belief.

[boxerblues]

Im not sure about the laws in the state that this happened but in Ohio they have to pick up the elementary school kids on the side of the road that they live...no crossing the street for pickups or dropoffs.

[mathluv]

Im not sure about the laws in the state that this happened but in Ohio they have to pick up the elementary school kids on the side of the road that they live...no crossing the street for pickups or dropoffs.

The same is true in TX - at least around here. It should be true everywhere.

[boxerblues]

This is so sad. I just dont understand how this could happen.

[steplock]

A KEY point:

"Potts was driving a red Honda Prelude south on N.C. 801 about 7:30 a.m. when he approached a Woodleaf Elementary school bus going in the opposite direction, investigators said.

The school-bus driver said she yelled to three children coming to the bus to stop when she saw the car. An older boy did, but the two girls didn't.

So it appears that the school bus was MOVING - not stopped - no red flashiong lights!

The children were unattended left on their own. The PARENTS deserve to be tried also on this case - going by the report anyway.

[BJungNan]

The district attorney was reviewing the case Wednesday before deciding whether to file charges against the senior at West Rowan High School.

File Charges!

[A-plus]

The mother was at the bus stop with them. She drove the girls to the bus stop and said you could clearly see the red lights on the bus. This is close to where I live, it has been on the local news.

look at this link for more info
http://www.wxii12.com/news/2613371/detail.html

this is so sad, she was such a cute little girl.

[tom h]

The teenager did not intend this to happen, of course, but the penalty must still be severe. Involuntary manslaughter conviction. Drivers' license revocation for five years. Probation for another five years. Fine of $10,000, paid over five years. He will never make the mistake again and hopefully his friends will learn also.

[livius]

Very sad. Prayers for them all.

[A-plus]

Absolutley. I agree with you 100 percent.

[wolficatZ]

Sola said she drove Ana Maria and her cousin Brenda to the bus stop. She said it was foggy but you could still see the stop light on the bus.

Troopers said the school bus stopped to pick up passengers, and a car driven by 17-year-old Brandon Potts did not stop for the bus. The high school student's car hit Ana Maria and Brenda, according to investigators.

 

It really helps to research the story a little befoe posting., the bus was not moving when the girls were hit.

[MHGinTN]

I don't see how what you posted should be construed to mean the bus was moving to any significant extent just because it was 'aimed' in the opposite direction. This is an horrific tragedy for all concerned. Even the bus driver will likely never get over this tragedy!

[Lancey Howard]

A good school bus driver will, when picking up children who must walk across a lined road, stop the bus at such an angle that both lanes are blocked because he knows there are going to be selfish, mindless morons like this Brandon Potts barreling down the road.

[Dianna]

Must be in an "underpriveledged" area where kids are only worth what welfare can bring.

You shouldn't assume that. I walk my kindergartener to the bus stop and he does not have to cross the street. Across the street are 3 children (a kindergartener, a 7 YO and an 8 YO) who cross the street by themselves. The bus will stop, put on the flashing lights and honk the horn, then wave the children over. HOPEFULLY, people conply with the law.

I know 2 of the children are coming from a home day care and the woman probably doesn't want to go to the trouble of bundling up the little ones to walk the 2 older kids across the street.

[FixitGuy]

I live in the country and have watched this scenario often. The kids who have to cross the road are given the high sign BY THE DRIVER after traffic has stopped!

Don't think I've ever seen a young child who wasn't accompanied by a parent.

A real shame, even for the driver.

But it begs the question, "Where did he learn to drive?". Most bus drivers have a 2 way and can report bad drivers and their plate number. Fear should help with caution around a school bus.

A shame Mr. Potts wasn't more careful. A nice kid who killed two children! I really believe that young people are not careful and the young aggressive GIRLS are way different than when I was in school.

[JoeFromCA]

This is a few miles from where I grew up; my sister graduated from West Rowan, where the perp is a senior.

Local news reports that the perp showed up at West Rowan later in the day, according to the principal to take care of some business, which appeared to be making sure he got his college application papers completed. Only in America can someone kill a six year old, go free, and turn his attention immediately to his own future.

This is why teenagers shouldn't drive. I'd like to see NC throw the book at the perp, but doubt it will happen.

BTW, in response to a poster who was trying to suggest this is a poor area where children are ignored, it's not. It's very rural, and it's not always practical to have enough buses to pick up every kid without any highway crossing.

[ShadowDancer]

This is horrible beyond words.