Child Hit by Car Waiting for School Bus, Mora, MN, March 30, 2011

I was disturbed to read that a six-year old boy was hit by a car while waiting for a bus yesterday morning on Ninth Street in Mora, Minnesota. The child was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale and remains in serious condition.

According to witnesses, the bus has stopped and had its lights flashing when the child began crossing Ninth Street to board the bus, when he was hit by the car. It is unclear whether the car passed the bus while its stop arm was down and its red lights were flashing.

Under Minnesota state law, drivers are required to stop 20 feet away from a bus if the bus has its stop arm down and its red lights flashing. If its amber “warning lights” are flashing, motorists may not pass the bus on the right.

I would suggest that if you see a stopped bus, regardless of whether its lights are flashing or the stop arm is down, STOP! As inconvenient as it may be to have to wait for an extra minute or two during your morning or afternoon commute, it’s a thousand times better than hitting and injuring a child!

The Kanabec County Sheriff's Office indicates the accident is still under investigation.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Minnesota personal injury lawyers, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.