Teen Hit by Passing SUV After Exiting School Bus on Thomas St Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights police are investigating an apparent accident that involved the driver of an SUV and a male teen pedestrian that had just exited a school bus about 6:11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
A Grand Prairie Transit school bus was apparently stopped westbound on Thomas Street when the driver of a silver Toyota Highlander passed the school bus in the center of Thomas Street traveling westbound. The teen was apparently crossing in front of the school bus, and there was a collision with the right front fender of the Toyota Highlander. The injuries to the teen were initially believed to be non-life-threatening.
Arlington Heights police are investigating the apparent accident with photographs and witnesses, and are also working to acquire any video from the school bus that might have captured the collision, and that might be able to confirm that safety devices were activated and/or working when the SUV driver allegedly passed the bus.
After the crash, all safety devices appeared to be activated and functioning, including the flashing overhead lights at the front and back of the bus, the flashing extended stop sign, and a pedestrian guard gate at the right front bumper of the bus.
According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), the majority of children injured or killed in pupil transportation are injured outside the bus. Most are struck by motorists who fail to stop for the flashing red lights and extended stop arm. This area around the bus is often referred to as the “DANGER ZONE.”
According to ISP
First offense – mandatory minimum fine of $150 and 3-month suspension of driver’s license.Second offense or subsequent conviction within five years – mandatory minimum fine of $500 and one year suspension of driver’s license. A motorist cited for illegally passing a school bus is not eligible for court supervision.
Initially, no charges or citations have been issued and the investigation is ongoing.
Police and firefighter/paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 6:11 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 to a report of a pedestrian injured after getting off a school bus at Thomas Street and Walnut Avenue.
Initially the age of the pedestrian was not confirmed publicly, but is believed to be a 16 year-old male. Apparently high school-age students were on the bus.
A patient was transported to a local hospital believed to be Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
The injuries are initially believed to be non-life-threatening because it does not appear that a major case accident investigation is activated for this incident.
After the crash, a school bus from Grand Prairie Transit was stopped westbound on Thomas Street just east of Walnut Avenue. A silver SUV was about 15 feet in front of the bus also stopped westbound in a position it would be after it would have passed the bus.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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