FLORESVILLE, Texas – A 10-year-old boy, Jorge Leija, was hit by a car while getting on a school bus Wednesday morning in Wilson County.
Sgt. Dean Cockrell, of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the Floresville Independent School District bus was picking up students around 6 a.m. on the side of Highway 181 North near Elmendorf, when a Mitsubishi passed the bus on the shoulder.
Witnesses said the driver didn't slow down, and that caused one child to jump back, while Jorge jumped toward the bus and was hit by the car. The fifth-grader from North Elementary was airlifted to University Hospital. School district spokeswoman Kim Cathey said Jorge is "doing well" and tests revealed no signs of head trauma. He will likely will be released from the hospital Wednesday or Thursday.
The bus did have its lights on at the time of the accident.
Cockrell said drivers need to pay attention when approaching school buses.
"Abide by the law. When the lights and the signs come on, stop and allow those children to get on the bus safely," he said.
The driver was issued a ticket but could face more charges, Cockrell said.