12-year-old is hit and killed while running to catch school bus, Georgia coroner says
A boy was rushing to catch the school bus when he was struck and killed by a car in south Georgia, according to the Bulloch County Coroner’s Office.
The crash happened early Wednesday, Jan. 11, on Maria Sorrell Road in Statesboro, coroner Jake Futch confirmed to McClatchy News.
He said the bus was stopped in the road with its turn signal on as it prepared to turn left into the Stillwater neighborhood. Georgia State Patrol, which is investigating the crash, said the school bus “did not have any lights activated or a stop sign present” because the pickup stop was inside the subdivision.
The child thought he missed the bus and ran into the street, where he was hit by an oncoming car, Futch said.
The boy, identified as 12-year-old Eli Bradley, was a student at William James Middle School, according to the coroner’s office.
Eli was taken to a hospital, where he died just before 8 a.m.
The sixth grader was an avid gamer and “a master LEGO builder, and loved food and his pets,” according to an online obituary. His memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 15.
“We always hurt and grieve when a child is lost to us,” Bulloch County Schools said in a statement. “Our crisis and counseling teams responded immediately, and they are providing extra administrative and counseling support to our students, staff and faculty during this tragedy.”
The driver of the car stayed on scene and charges aren’t expected, Futch said.
Troopers said the crash remains under investigation.
Statesboro is about 55 miles northwest of Savannah.
This story was originally published January 11, 2023 at 12:34 PM with the headline "12-year-old is hit and killed while running to catch school bus, Georgia coroner says."