7-year-old Manatee County student hit by car while walking to school bus, FHP says
A 7-year-old child crossing the street near a stopped Manatee County school bus was struck by a car Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 8:10 a.m. at the intersection of Fifth St. E. and 61st Ave. E. in Bradenton, according to a news release.
Troopers say a 23-year-old Bradenton woman in a sedan turned left at the intersection despite a stopped school bus displaying its flashing red lights and stop signs.
A crossing guard blew her whistle and the driver of the sedan stopped briefly, FHP said. But the driver and the child started to move forward again at the same time, the agency said, causing the vehicle to hit the 7-year-old.
Manatee County paramedics responded to the scene and reported no injuries, according to FHP.
Child’s mother reacts to Bradenton crash
The child’s mother told the Bradenton Herald Wednesday morning that her son had scrapes and bruises from the accident.
“That’s still terrifying for a child of that age,” Crystal Romine said.
Romine said her 13-year-old son called around 8:30 a.m. to tell her about the accident, which happened as he and his brother were walking to the bus stop together.
“That’s not something a mother wants to get a phone call about, no matter if the child was severely injured or not,” Romine said.
Troopers have not announced any charges against the Bradenton woman who they say was driving the sedan.
However, Romine said an FHP investigator confirmed that the driver would receive a traffic citation for failure to yield.
FHP continues to investigate the crash.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 3:52 PM.
