15-Year-Old Student Dies After Being Hit by Semi-Truck While …

Authorities said the 15-year-old had just exited the Livingston ISD bus on U.S. Route 59 when the deadly collision occurred

pTexas Department of Public Safety/p School bus involved in the deadly crash on U.S. Route 59

pTexas Department of Public Safety/p School bus involved in the deadly crash on U.S. Route 59

Texas Department of Public Safety

School bus involved in the deadly crash on U.S. Route 59

A teenager died in Texas after getting struck by a semi-truck[1] while getting off a school bus.

The 15-year-old had just exited the Livingston ISD bus on U.S. Route 59 on Thursday when the deadly collision occurred, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.[2]

Officials said the bus was stopped when the truck rear-ended a Toyota traveling behind the bus and subsequently veered into the driveway where the teen was exiting the bus, ABC affiliate KTRK-TV[3] and CBS affiliate KHOU-TV[4] reported.

The teen, whose name has not been publicly released, died at the scene.

Related: Florida Student Hit and Killed by School Bus While Biking: 'He Was Such a Good Friend'[5]

Troopers are investigating a fatal crash involving a Livingston ISD bus on US 59 north of Livingston.

Sadly, we can confirm a 15-year-old student was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler as the child was leaving the bus.

Investigators remain on the scene, gathering evidence. pic.twitter.com/rwtff97Bio[6]

— TxDPS - Southeast Texas Region (@TxDPSSoutheast) December 8, 2023[7]

The bus’ flashing red sign was out when the crash occurred, according to KHOU-TV and Fort Worth Star Telegram[8].

Neither the driver of the truck nor the driver of the Toyota were injured in the crash, according to ABC affiliate KTRE[9].

The driver of the truck, 41-year-old Gregory Jackson, was arrested and has been charged with criminal negligent homicide, according to Polk County jail records viewed by PEOPLE. His bond has been set at $250,000.

pTexas Department of Public Safety/p

pTexas Department of Public Safety/p

Texas Department of Public Safety

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In a statement, Livingston ISD confirmed that the victim was a student who attended school in the district.

Story continues

“It is sad when our district loses a member of its family,” the district said, per KTRK-TV and FOX affiliate KRIV[11]. “It is even more tragic when such a young life is taken away from us."

The district also extended its condolences to the victim’s family and friends. Counseling is available to those in need, they added.

Related: 15 Hospitalized After Collision Between Ambulance, Truck and Bus Carrying Special Needs Students[12]

“At times like this, we are reminded how precious life can be and how fragile each life truly is,” the district said.

Livingston ISD and the Texas Department of Safety did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter![13]

Read the original article on People[14].

References

  1. ^ getting struck by a semi-truck (people.com)
  2. ^ Texas Department of Public Safety (twitter.com)
  3. ^ ABC affiliate KTRK-TV (abc13.com)
  4. ^ CBS affiliate KHOU-TV (www.khou.com)
  5. ^ Florida Student Hit and Killed by School Bus While Biking: 'He Was Such a Good Friend' (people.com)
  6. ^ pic.twitter.com/rwtff97Bio (t.co)
  7. ^ December 8, 2023 (twitter.com)
  8. ^ Fort Worth Star Telegram (www.star-telegram.com)
  9. ^ ABC affiliate KTRE (www.ktre.com)
  10. ^ PEOPLE's free daily newsletter (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
  11. ^ FOX affiliate KRIV (www.fox26houston.com)
  12. ^ 15 Hospitalized After Collision Between Ambulance, Truck and Bus Carrying Special Needs Students (people.com)
  13. ^ sign up for our newsletter! (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
  14. ^ People (people.com)