Tragic Fatal Crash Claims Life of 15-Year-Old Student in Polk County, Texas

Accident – death – Obituary News : POLK COUNTY, Texas (KTRE/Gray News) – A tragic accident unfolded on Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 59 just north of Livingston, resulting in the loss of a student’s life. The Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating the incident, which involved multiple vehicles, including a school bus.

According to the preliminary crash investigation, the incident occurred at approximately 4:17 p.m. when a Livingston Independent School District bus came to a halt in the northbound outside lane. The bus had its flashing red lights on and stop sign extended to allow a child to disembark safely. However, tragedy struck when a Toyota passenger car following closely behind the school bus was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer traveling northbound. The force of the collision caused the truck to swerve to the right, directly into the path of the child standing in the driveway.

Tragically, the victim has been identified as a 15-year-old boy who was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace. This devastating loss has left the community in shock and mourning. The 28-year-old driver of the Toyota and the 41-year-old truck driver escaped the incident without any injuries.

In response to this heartbreaking incident, the Livingston Independent School District released a statement expressing their deep sorrow. They referred to the student’s passing as the loss of a family member and emphasized the fragile nature of life. The district extended their thoughts and sincere condolences to the grieving family and friends. Recognizing the emotional impact of this tragedy, the district also announced that counselors would be available at the school on Friday to provide support to students and staff.

This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety, especially around school buses. It is crucial for all drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules when encountering a school bus with its stop sign extended and flashing lights activated. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences, as seen in this unfortunate accident.

The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident. Their findings will help shed light on the cause of the crash and determine if any additional measures need to be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As the community grapples with the loss of a young life, it is a poignant reminder to cherish every moment and prioritize the safety of ourselves and those around us on the roads..