Dump truck driver hits 9-year-old while swerving around school bus, Louisiana cops say
A 9-year-old was getting off a school bus on Wednesday when a dump truck hit him, Louisiana officials said.
The child reportedly had serious injuries after the crash south of New Orleans.
Now, officials say the driver of the dump truck is facing multiple charges.
Gregory Valentine, 61, is charged with “negligent injuring, reckless operation of a vehicle, and driving with a suspended license,” according to Louisiana State Police. The agency in a news release didn’t list an attorney for Valentine.
At about 4 p.m. Wednesday, a school bus was along the road with its “stop signs extended and flashing lights activated.” As the child started to walk off the bus, Valentine is accused of continuing to drive.
“Valentine swerved to the right onto the northbound shoulder to avoid the school bus, but struck the 9-year-old child,” Louisiana State Police said in its news release.
It happened along state Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish, roughly 20 miles outside of New Orleans. The child was seriously hurt and taken to a nearby hospital, according to officials.
Police said drivers should keep an eye out for school buses on the road.
“Louisiana law prevents any vehicle from passing or overtaking a stopped school bus with the visual signs activated, and has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children,” officials said. “Vehicles are also required to stop at least thirty feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer activated.”
Officials said they didn’t think Valentine was impaired. As of Thursday, police were awaiting toxicology results and said the crash was still under investigation.
A representative from Louisiana State Police didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for additional information on Friday morning.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 9:09 AM with the headline "Dump truck driver hits 9-year-old while swerving around school bus, Louisiana cops say."
