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Police: Driver took off after hitting Richmond student

Posted at 6:38 PM, Feb 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-01 20:11:56-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Investigators in Richmond are looking for a driver who hit a seventh-grade student trying to board a school bus in the city's East End.

Jannet McMillon says what happened at one of the city’s East End intersection nearly killed her son.

"Every morning they have to stand here and wait and they cross the street in a very unsafe neighborhood just to catch the bus on Randall Avenue," she said.

As he was walking to his city school bus Thursday morning, she says a car struck her son at Williamsburg road and Randall Avenue.

McMillon says her son was on his way to Chimbarozo Elementary school.

"I ran out the door just as fast as I could and I went right across the street trying to see who I could see or the person who was involved and when I got here, it was absolutely no one there,” said Jannet McMillon.

McMillon still shaken by what happened says she called 911 -- shocked that the driver never stopped to help her son.

"I was upset because I don't understand how someone can have an incident and hit a child and pull off without even contacting the police in any manner,” said McMillon.

According to McMillon, she says the bus driver didn't have the proper safety devices in place.

"No stop signs. No lights were flashing,” said McMillon. “Not even the pole that comes outside of the bus."

McMillon tells us, parents have voiced their concerns about having a bus stop at this intersection.

“At one time, he was stopping in the middle of the intersection. But that discontinued. Now, the children continue to cross the street. And it's very, very unsafe."

As for her son, McMillon says she's thankful because it could've been a lot worse.

"They say he's probably going to have bruising on his right hip and buttocks. But other than that he didn’t have any head injuries. And everything turned out okay,” said McMillon.

Richmond Public schools spokesperson Felicia Cosby released this statement to CBS 6:

"We are saddened that one of our students was the victim of a hit and run accident while attempting to board one of our buses. We remain in communication with the family and are working with the Richmond Police Department as they investigate the incident to help facilitate swift justice. We are also conducting our own internal investigation into the matter and are reviewing our bus safety protocols to ensure proper procedures and swift communication processes are being followed to promote the safe passage of our students to and from school."

Cosby says the bus driver is currently on Administrative leave. He’s been charged with failure to report an accident involving injury.