A 15-year-old Livingston teen was tragically killed by an 18-wheeler after stepping off his school bus onto a stretch of rural highway on Thursday, December 7. The investigation is still underway to determine the cause of this senseless truck accident, but the driver has been arrested on homicide charges, reports USA Today.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the boy.
Fatal Crash Occurred on U.S. Highway 59
The accident occurred around 4:15 p.m on a remote stretch of U.S. Highway 59 in Polk County, near Livingston, about 70 miles northeast of Houston.
According to a preliminary crash investigation from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Livingston Independent School District bus was stopped northbound in the outside lane, its red lights flashing and stop sign extended with one car stopped behind it. The semi-truck hit the rear of the stopped passenger vehicle, veered right, and then struck the boy in a driveway.
He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Truck Driver Arrested, Cause of Accident Still Unknown
The truck driver is 41-years-old and from Texarkana. He was arrested on a felony criminal negligent homicide charge and remains in Polk County Jail on $250,000 bond at this time.
Texas Law Requires All Vehicles to Stop for School Buses
According to Section 545.066 of the Texas Transportation Code, when approaching a school bus stopped on the roadway, other drivers must stop before reaching the bus and may not proceed until the school bus begins driving off.
Our Houston truck accident lawyers will provide updates as we learn more about this horrific and tragic event.