Georgia: 8-Year-Old Hit, Killed While Getting on School Bus
The bus had its red lights flashing and its stop sign activated when the driver failed to stop, hitting the girl as crossed the street.
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HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — An eight-year-old girl died Thursday after she was hit by a car while trying to get on her school bus.
Adalynn Pierce, a student at Rock Spring Elementary School, was walking across a two-lane street to board the bus when she was struck, 11 Alive reports.
Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said the driver, 25-year-old Kaylee Andre, was traveling north on Jackson Lake Road at the intersection of a private driveway. The bus had its red lights flashing and its stop sign activated but Andre failed to stop, hitting Pierce as she tried to cross the road.
Henry County EMS performed life-saving measures on the scene. Pierce was flown to Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta where she later died. Andre was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle, failure to stop for a school bus loading and unloading, and failure to exercise due care. She is being held in the Henry County Jail.
Ashley Pierce, Adalynn’s mom, witnessed the crash and says she forgives the driver.
“When the accident happened, she stayed by my side the whole time. She’s the one who called 911 for me, and she just kept screaming how sorry she was and how sorry she was,” she said. “Law enforcement has said she has been nothing but cooperative the whole time. It was a mistake. Anyone could have made the same mistake.”
Pierce said her daughter’s organs will be donated and that her rare blood type will save lives.
“Every life she saves, this is a legacy that will live on for generations,” she said. “And it’s a way that we are keeping part of Adalynn alive.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 121 people are killed each year in school bus accidents. Its June 2023 study found that from 2012-2021, 206 school-age children died in school transportation-related crashes, including 78 pedestrians.
The same study found there were 1.6 times more fatalities among pedestrians (183) than occupants of school transportation vehicles (113).
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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