New Diana Student struck by driver while getting on bus
UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK)– A man has been arrested for allegedly hitting a New Diana ISD student with his vehicle on Monday while she was crossing the road to board a school bus.
The crash took place at the intersection of FM 726 and U.S. Highway 259 when a driver who was later identified as Jerry Martin, 56 of Longview, ignored the red flashing lights on the bus and struck the student, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Martin has been arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is currently being held in the Upshur County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
The student has been treated and released from a local hospital, according to New Diana ISD assistant superintendent Greg Pope.
New Diana ISD is being joined in warning drivers by others school districts like Palestine ISD and Mount Pleasant ISD, they’ve has accidents like this in the past.
Both districts are urging drivers to be extra cautious for school busses.
“There’s so many people that are distracted going down the road these days, whether it’s the number one thing a phone, or they’re changing music on their radio,” Palestine ISD police officer Tyson Metzig said.
Mount Pleasant ISD Police Department chief Ronnie Humphrey said drivers have to stop when the flashing lights and stop signs turns on.
“Every time you see those lights in the center turn lane, you have to stop. A lot of people will think that there’s a center turn lane and if I’m going the opposite direction, I don’t have to stop. That’s not true, you do have to stop,” Mount Pleasant ISD police chief, Ronnie Humphrey said.
The only time that a driver doesn’t need to stop for a bus is when there’s a barrier between the two lanes. Drivers who are caught ignoring school bus stop signs could face a class ‘C’ misdemeanor and a fine of up to $1,000.
The penalty can be upgraded to more serious charges if a child is injured.
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