Police have an area of KY 779 blocked off Monday afternoon while they investigate a bus crash that killed a 10-year-old.
A 10-year-old died Monday afternoon from injuries suffered in a bus crash on KY. 779 in Whitley County.
Whitley County Coroner J. Andrew Croley said the boy, now identified as Jonathan A. Chatham, of Rockholds, was killed after getting off Whitley County Schools bus 993 on Ky. 779 near the intersection with Flat Creek Road.
"He got off the bus and for some reason entered the path of the bus again as it was moving forward," Croley said of the child, whose name is being witheld pending notification of the family. "We don’t know why."
According to Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Trooper Lloyd Cochran, Chatham was dropped off at the stop with three other students by bus driver Amanda Woliver, 33, of Williamsburg. When Woliver started to drive away, Chatham was somehow struck by the bus. Police do not expect drugs or alchol were factors in the accident.
Officials at the scene said there were approximately 20 other children on the bus at the time.
A second bus was brought in to finish the route. Parents and guardians were notified and children were released to their custody.
Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell, who was assisting at the scene, was charged with taking several of the students home, including one that suffered a panic attack.
Whitley County Schools Superintendent Scott Paul and other school system administrators also responded to the scene.
Calls to Paul seeking details about the driver and the bus have not yet been returned.
Classes for the Whitley County School System have been cancelled for Tuesday.
KSP Trooper Craig Reed is continuing the investigation. He was assisted at the scene by Troopers from Post 11, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Officers, Kentucky State Police Collision Analysis Officer Jerry Jones, Whitley County Sheriff’s Office, Whitley County EMS and Woodbine Fire Department.
Check back to thenewsjournal.net/ for more details as they become available.
