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Richmond student struck by vehicle after getting off school bus

Posted at 7:47 PM, Jan 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-14 20:00:00-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond student was struck while getting off the school bus, and has life-threatening injuries.

A Richmond Public Schools bus was off-loading near the intersection of Warwick Road and Fernbrook Drive at about 3:12 Wednesday afternoon. A group of students began to cross Warwick Road, and the victim was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Richmond Police Crash Team responded to the scene where they interviewed the driver, who remained until officers arrived. They also took measurements and statements from other witnesses.

Charlene Jeffers, who showed up to the accident scene before emergency crews arrived, said she worked to help the injured student.

"I'm a nurse and I am covered by the Good Samaritan Law, so I ran over to see if I could help," she explained.

CBS 6 reached out to Richmond Public Schools to find out where the bus stop was located, and how soon after getting off the bus was the 15-year-old student hit. A school system spokesman said the stop was on Fernbrook Drive, a side street near Warwick Road. School district officials said the 15-year-old student got off the bus safely, and must have been struck by a car while crossing Warwick Road with his friends, some time after the bus pulled off.

Richmond father Joseph Simmons, who lives in the area, said he was surprised incidents like this don’t happen more because there was no crosswalk painted on Warwick Road.

“Consider what needs to be done to kind of reconcile how the kids get across the street safely,” said Simmons. "There’s always traffic and there’s not a lot of time to really see (cars) because it (street) is lined with trees.”

CBS 6 contacted the City of Richmond to find out what it would cost and what the process would be to have a crosswalk and stop signs added to Warwick Road. The City Public Works Department said it would work to gather that information.

Police said charges are pending for the driver involved.

Investigators ask anyone with any information to call Crash Team Sergeant Berkley Eikerenkoetter at 646-1707 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also submit a tip online at www.7801000.com or text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

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