School Bus Wreck in Maxton this morning, one killed, others injured

[Smokin' Ace]

this is very tragic....

WRAL.com
Student Killed, Others Injured In School Bus Wreck Near Maxton
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 9:02 a.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- One child was killed and others were reportedly injured in a wreck involving a school bus and a tractor-trailer near Maxton Tuesday morning.

The bus was carrying students from R.B. Dean Elementary in Maxton.

The accident happened on Highway 71 near the Campbell Soup plant.

WRAL has a crew on the way and will have updates as they become available.
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Smokin' Ace]

WRAL.com
Student Killed, Others Injured In School Bus Wreck Near Maxton
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 9:18 a.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- One child was killed and others were injured in a wreck involving a stopped school bus and a tractor-trailer in Robeson County Tuesday morning.

According to the state Highway Patrol, the collision happened on N.C. 71 north of Maxton near Bryant Circle at 7:04 a.m.

The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

The school bus was transporting children to Townsend Middle School and R.B. Dean Elementary School.

At the time of the collision, approximately 13 to 15 children were on the bus.

Those injured, including the drivers, were transported to local hospitals.
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[softwind]

I am so sorry to hear of this tragic loss, do you know the name of the child that was killed?

[Smokin' Ace]

No, but as the details are coming in, it is just heartbreaking. Just heartbreaking...

[NDNQt]

Hey B, I doubt they are gonna publicize a name any time soon - they would have to find the parents and notify them.

[Smokin' Ace]

Five-year-old killed after truck hits bus

MAXTON, North Carolina (AP) --A tractor-trailer slammed into a stopped school bus Tuesday, killing a 5-year-old girl who was getting on and injuring a dozen other pupils, officials said.

A parent who was helping the girl get on the bus also was injured, said Henry Byrd, assistant superintendent of Robeson County schools.

The bus careened 200 feet through yards before coming to a stop.

About 20 to 25 students were aboard the bus, bound for Townsend Middle School and R.B. Dean Elementary School. Most of the injuries were described as minor.

Maxton is in southeastern North Carolina near the South Carolina line.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.







Find this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/01/13/school.bus.crash.ap/index.html

[Smokin' Ace]

WRAL.com
Student Killed, Others Injured In School Bus Wreck Near Maxton
Tractor-Trailer Hits Stopped Bus From Behind
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 10:24 a.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- A 5-year-old girl was killed and several others, including her mother, were injured in a wreck involving a stopped school bus and a tractor-trailer in Robeson County Tuesday morning.




According to the state Highway Patrol, the collision happened on N.C. 71 north of Maxton near Bryant Circle at 7:04 a.m.

The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to Robeson County Schools, Sheila Hernandez, 5, was struck and killed as she was waiting to be helped on to the bus by her mother. The girl's mother was also struck and is reportedly listed in critical condition.

The bus was transporting children to Townsend Middle School and R.B. Dean Elementary School. At the time of the collision 13 to 15 children were on the bus.




The injured, including the drivers, were transported to local hospitals.

Seven people were transported to Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton and seven people were transported to Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg. Those injuries, according to the school spokesperson, are not considered life threatening.

Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 441 feet and across the county line. Authorities said the stopped bus was in Robeson County at the time of the collision and ended in Scotland County.

The Highway Patrol said the tractor-trailer is registered to Mountaire Farms Inc. of Selbyville, DE.

Watch WRAL's Noon News for the latest on this story.(Newscasts air without commercials. A black screen appears during breaks.)
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

[Smokin' Ace]

WRAL.com
Robeson Student Killed When Tractor-Trailer Hits Stopped School Bus
Child's Mother, More Than Dozen Others Injured
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 12:48 p.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- A 5-year-old girl was killed and more than a dozen others, including her mother, were injured in a collision involving a stopped school bus and a tractor-trailer near the Robeson/Scotland County line Tuesday morning.


The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to the state Highway Patrol, the collision happened on N.C. 71 north of Maxton near Bryant Circle at 7:04 a.m.

The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to Robeson County Schools, Sheila Hernandez, 5, was struck and killed as she was waiting to be helped onto the bus by her mother. The girl's mother, Maria, was also struck and is reportedly listed in critical condition.

"I saw her in the middle of the road. She was lying there and they had her covered up. Her mother was in the ditch from here the big truck hit her," said Erica Hernandez, the victim's aunt.

Hernandez said Maria attempted to shield her daughter.

"She walked her daughter to the bus and when her daughter got to the bus she turned around and looked and tried to get in front of her daughter so the truck wouldn't hit her," she said.

The bus was transporting children to Townsend Middle School and R.B. Dean Elementary School. The Highway Patrol said 17 children were on the bus at the time of the collision.


Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Charges are pending against the tractor-trailer driver.

The injured, including the drivers, were transported to local hospitals.

Seven people were taken to Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg. Two of those people were later airlifted to Duke Medical Center in Durham. Five others are listed in guarded condition.

Seven others were trasnported to Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton for treatment of minor injuries; none were expected to be admitted.

Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Authorities said the stopped bus was in Robeson County at the time of the collision and ended in Scotland County.

The Highway Patrol said Gary K. Garnett, 38, of Hope Mills, was driving the tractor-trailer registered to Mountaire Farms Inc. of Selbyville, DE. Charges against Garnett are pending.

Federal investigators from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are at the collision scene assisting Robeson County troopers with their investigation.

Watch WRAL's Noon News live online for the latest on this story. (Newscasts air without commercials. A black screen appears during breaks.)
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[bwhite]

This is so sad... Just horrible. I pray for all those involved.

[Smokin' Ace]

WRAL.com
Distraction Over Cell Phone Leads To Tractor-Trailer/School Bus Accident
Robeson Student Killed, Others Injured; Truck Driver Had Been Charged With Traffic Violations
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 2:20 p.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- A 5-year-old girl was killed and more than a dozen others, including her mother, were injured in a collision involving a stopped school bus and a tractor-trailer near the Robeson/Scotland County line Tuesday morning. WRAL has learned that the tractor-trailer driver has a criminal record that includes traffic violations.


The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to the state Highway Patrol, the collision happened on N.C. 71 north of Maxton near Bryant Circle at 7:04 a.m.

The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to Robeson County Schools, Sheila Hernandez, 5, was struck and killed as she was waiting to be helped onto the bus by her mother. The girl's mother, Maria Hernandez, 25, was also struck. She is being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

"I saw her in the middle of the road. She was lying there and they had her covered up. Her mother was in the ditch from where the big truck hit her," said Erica Hernandez, the victim's aunt.

Hernandez said Maria attempted to shield her daughter.

"She walked her daughter to the bus and when her daughter got to the bus she turned around and looked and tried to get in front of her daughter so the truck wouldn't hit her," she said.

The Highway Patrol said Gary K. Garnett, 38, of Hope Mills, was driving the tractor-trailer registered to Mountaire Farms Inc. of Selbyville, DE. Garnett stated to troopers that he was distracted because he was trying to locate his cell phone which he dropped on the floorboard of his tractor-trailer. He is still being treated at Southeastern General Hospital in Lumberton. Charges against Garnett are pending.

WRAL has learned that Garnett has a criminal record. Garnett has been convicted of speeding, writing worthless checks, robbery, hit-and-run and other offenses. He received a speeding ticket in Cumberland County on Jan. 2 and had a Feb. 18 court date for it.

The bus was transporting children to Townsend Middle School and R.B. Dean Elementary School. The Highway Patrol said 17 children were on the bus driven by Tammy Rivera at the time of the collision.


Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Charges are pending against the tractor-trailer driver.

One child was transported to UNC Hospitals and another was transported to Duke Medical Center, according to the Highway Patrol.

Twelve others, including the drivers, were transported to Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg and Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton.


Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Authorities said the stopped bus was in Robeson County at the time of the collision and ended in Scotland County.

Federal investigators from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are at the collision scene assisting Robeson County troopers with their investigation.
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Suzizila]

Oh my gosh! This is terrible! Nobody should have had to go through this. Nowadays, it seems as though truckers are in too big of a hurry to get to their destinations, they drive like maniacs, and don't care if they are right up on your tail or nearly running you off the road. Where are the police when all of this is going on? I hope this trucker doesn't get away with murder. You can't tell me he couldn't see that the bus was stopped. I realize that time is money, but those maniac truckers need to slow down. Now that mother & the child's extended family and all the other families will be grieving ....not to mention these poor kids will be scarred for life & will be missing their classmate. That trucker's @ss better be convicted life without parol, so he has time to reflect upon the seriousness of the situation. :Yell

[Smokin' Ace]

WRAL.com
Charges In Fatal Tractor-Trailer/School Bus Accident May Not Come Until Later In Week
Robeson Student Killed, Others Injured; Truck Driver Had Been Charged With Traffic Violations
POSTED: 7:58 a.m. EST January 13, 2004
UPDATED: 6:16 p.m. EST January 13, 2004



ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. -- The State Highway Patrol does not anticipate filing charges Tuesday in regards to a fatal school bus/tractor-trailer collision in Robeson County that claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl and injured dozens of others. Plus, WRAL has learned that a tractor-trailer driver involved in the accident has a criminal record that includes numerous traffic violations.


Sheila Hernandez, 6, was killed Tuesday when she was trying to board her school bus.
According to the state Highway Patrol, the collision happened on N.C. 71 north of Maxton near Bryant Circle at 7:04 a.m.

The Highway Patrol said a school bus was stopped and in the process of loading children when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

According to Robeson County Schools, Sheila Hernandez, 6, was struck and killed as she was waiting to be helped onto the bus by her mother. The girl's mother, Maria Hernandez, 25, was also struck. She is being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

"I saw her in the middle of the road. She was lying there and they had her covered up. Her mother was in the ditch from where the big truck hit her," said Erica Hernandez, the victim's aunt.

Hernandez said Maria attempted to shield her daughter.


The Highway Patrol said the school bus was stopped when a tractor-trailer transporting chickens failed to stop and struck the school bus from behind.

"She walked her daughter to the bus and when her daughter got to the bus she turned around and looked and tried to get in front of her daughter so the truck wouldn't hit her," she said.

"You think about your own children getting on and off buses daily and how easily this could happen anywhere USA," State Trooper Joe Siles said.

The Highway Patrol said Gary K. Garnett, 38, of Hope Mills, was driving the tractor-trailer registered to Mountaire Farms Inc. of Selbyville, DE. Garnett stated to troopers that he was distracted because he was trying to locate his cell phone which he dropped on the floorboard of his tractor-trailer. He is still being treated at Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg.

WRAL has learned that Garnett has a criminal record. Garnett has been cited with hit-and-run, improper passing, driving too fast for conditions,and driving with an expired operators license, along with other offenses. He received a speeding ticket in Cumberland County on Jan. 2 and was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 18.

Troopers will present their findings to the Robeson County District Attorney either Wednesday or Thursday. The appropriate charges will be filed after consulting with the district attorney.

The bus was transporting children to R.B. Dean Elementary School.

Seven students were treated and released from Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Eight patients were admitted to Scotland Memorial in Laurinburg, of which four children were treated and released Tuesday afternoon. Four others -- two children and two adults -- were taken to area hospitals. The two adults are listed in guarded condition and the two children are listed in serious condition. Their names have not been released.


Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Charges are pending against the tractor-trailer driver.



Officials said the force of the impact drove the bus 606 feet and across the county line. Authorities said the stopped bus was in Robeson County at the time of the collision and ended in Scotland County.

Federal investigators from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are at the collision scene assisting Robeson County troopers with their investigation.

Despite what many people may think, cell phones are not the biggest distraction for drivers. According to a study from the UNC Highway Safety Research Center and AAA, fiddling with the radio is the top distraction for drivers, followed by eating or drinking while driving. The third top distraction is putting on make-up or grooming. Cell phone use is ranked fourth.

The study also suggests 30 percent of crashes are caused by distracted drivers.
Copyright 2004 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[llumdelight]

JUST SO YA'LL KNOW THE TRUCKER THAT HIT THE LITTLE GIRL ALREADY HAS A BAD DRIVING RECORD. IT HAPPENED DOWN FROM MY HOUSE. THE MOTHER IS OK. OR AS WELL AS EXPECTED THIS IS SO SAD. MY THOUGHTS IS WITH THE FAMILY CAUSE I HAVE A PRE-K THAT IS IN SCHOOL AND IT HITS ME HARD.

[Singing Otter]

My heart is with the family. I don't know about anyone else but after reading this I'm just numb... Somebody's baby is gone.

[softwind]

My prays are with the family in the loss of their child. I think we have all learned a lesson from this concerning cell phones.