News

Actions

17-year-old struck, killed by school bus in crosswalk

Posted at 10:29 AM, Nov 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-02 18:23:27-04

MILWAUKEE -- A 17-year-old girl was struck and killed by a school bus on Milwaukee's south side Wednesday morning.

Marisol Cevallos was walking in a crosswalk in the 900 block of W. Oklahoma Ave. when the bus hit her. Six elementary students were on the bus and witnessed the accident.

The Milwaukee Fire Department responded, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

"I was just kind of stunned," Matt Strzelecki said.

He said heard the sirens just after 6:30 a.m.

"It was pretty crazy. I didn't understand what was going on until they moved out of the way, and I saw a sheet sitting there," he said.

The CEO of Lamers Bus Company, which operates the school bus, said the 62-year-old bus driver has been with the company for 25 years and has a spotless record.

The driver stayed on the scene and is cooperating with police.

Marisol's mother tells TODAY'S TMJ4's that bus drivers need to be more careful. She believes this may have saved her daughter's life. A family member spoke on her behalf. 

"She just wants to make aware that bus drivers need more time to take students to and from school," said Caitlin Kolich, Marisol's brother's fiancé. 

Family also tell TODAY'S TMJ4 that Marisol was crossing the street to get to her bus stop to finish out her senior year at Rufus King High School.