INWOOD, W.Va. — Although Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon’s deputies were not the primary investigators at the scene Tuesday morning when a student was struck on Middleway Pike/Rt. 51 attempting to cross the road to board a bus, he offered some perspective.
Harmon says the West Virginia State Police are investigating the incident, but says early indications are that the school bus lights were yellow, not red, when the student stepped off across the road. He says the driver of the “We all need to responsible for children’s safety around a school bus, period,” he says.
Sheriff Harmon says the driver of the vehicle is the one who called 911. “So they did take responsible measures to help in every way possible, and they’re cooperating with the investigation,” Harmon says.
The incident happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning.
Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Ron Stephens issued the following statement:
“BCS Community: I want to let you know that a high school student was struck by a vehicle this morning as they crossed the road to board school bus #268. This occurred just outside Inwood on Rt. 51 East. The student was conscious, accompanied by parents, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital for additional evaluation and examination.
The crisis team, and school counselors, has been alerted for students at Musselman High and Middle Schools. Please keep all those involved in this accident in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Panhandle News Network has reached out to the Martinsburg Detachment of the West Virginia State Police for further clarification on whether there are any charges pending against the driver.