On Wednesday, the family of Raven June Edwards, 8, announced she passed away two weeks after she was hit by a vehicle at her bus stop in Deatsville. She had been in critical condition at Children’s Hospital of Alabama after suffering a fractured skull and subsequent swelling on her brain.
The accident occurred just before 7 a.m. on Nov. 5 near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Deatsville Highway, located outside the Summerfield subdivision where the Edwards family resides. It remains unclear whether the school bus normally parks across the highway at the entrance of the subdivision to pick up Raven or whether the bus usually picked up on Deatsville Highway in front of her home.
Sgt. Steve Jarrett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency told reporters it appears Raven unknowingly darted in front of a vehicle while trying to reach her school bus.
“There were some visual obstructions, things of that nature, so based on what we know at this time, it looks like this is going to be a terrible, terrible accident,” said Jarrett.
So far the investigation does not show speed was a factor with the motorist, he added, and the driver has submitted a blood test, which is standard procedure for a case like this.
Mike Edwards, father of the victim, said he does not blame the driver involved in the tragedy.
“I personally do not hold him responsible for it — accidents happen. Raven ran out without checking traffic, and she knew better than to do it. I know that man is going through pure hell right now, and I want him to know that I do not hold him responsible for it. It was just a terrible accident that was nothing more than an accident,” Edwards said.
Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Langham said the tragedy serves as an important reminder for students and motorists to remember safety.
“Always be aware of your surroundings. Take that extra one second to pay attention. That’s for everyone on the bus, walking to the bus or around the bus,” Langham said the day of the accident. “What has occurred this morning is your greatest fear.”
Last week a high school student in Youngstown, Ohio, lost her life after stumbling into the path of a yellow bus departing the campus. Witnesses reported the girl was “playing around” with her friends and not paying attention to surrounding traffic.
