LAKELAND, FL – In Lakeland, Florida on Tuesday, a 15-year-old student was hit and killed by a school bus. The incident took place around 7 a.m., near the intersection of West Pipkin Road and Medulla Road.
The bus, from the Schools of McKeel Academy, was heading west on West Pipkin Road, approaching Medulla Road, when the student, Jaxon Crabtree, attempted a left turn onto Medulla Road and collided with the bus. Crabtree, who was unresponsive when authorities arrived on the scene, was taken to a hospital where he later passed away.
Eight students aged between 8 and 11, attending South McKeel Academy and McKeel Academy Central, were on the bus when the incident occurred. Neither they nor the 71-year-old bus driver sustained any injuries.
Lakeland Police Chief, Sam Taylor, stated that the bus driver wasn’t speeding and was extremely distressed following the incident.
The Polk County Public Schools Superintendent, Frederick Heid, confirmed that counselors were made available for students and staff at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, which Crabtree attended.
Notably, this incident follows a similar one in October, where 17-year-old Sherman Vannoy was struck and killed by a school bus near the entrance of Lake Minneola High School, Clermont, Florida.