9-Year-Old Boy Fatally Struck by Moving School Bus in Florida

A 9-year-old boy, Elyas Marshall Rodriguez, died after crawling under a moving school bus.

After being dropped off by the school bus, the bus driver had begun driving again to continue through the roundabout. However, the boy crawled underneath the moving school bus and was struck by the driver, who had no idea why the boy was there.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Elyas Marshall Rodriguez was a student at Lawton Chiles Elementary School.

9-Year-Old Boy's Tragic School Bus Incident in Florida

On a typical afternoon in suburban Orlando, what began as a routine school bus drop-off resulted in the tragic death of a young boy.

Elyas Marshall Rodriguez became the unfortunate victim of a tragic school bus incident in Florida. As the driver was pulling away, the boy ran back and crawled underneath the bus.

The highway patrol stated that the rear tire collided with the boy, killing him. Reports state that the boy dropped his football and decided to crawl under the moving school bus to get it back.

Maybe it was the mother's instincts, but the 9-year-old boy's mother felt something was wrong when he did not arrive from school that day. This propelled her to go look for her son in the nearby playground and see the fallout of the crash.

Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez released a statement saying they are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of one of their students.

Vazquez added that losing a young child so suddenly and tragically is extremely difficult, especially for family and friends, and that they are cooperating with the highway patrol investigation into this untimely incident. Furthermore, she added that the school counselors will be available to community members, students, and staff members who are affected by this tragedy.

The cousin of the 9-year-old boy stated that he was once diagnosed with leukemia at the very young age of 2. He added that he was in remission at the time of the accident and had just gotten his chemotherapy port taken out last year.

Due to his leukemia, the boy also experienced being able to go through the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of how complicated it was.

Investigation of the Moving School Bus

As confirmed by the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office, the young boy died from cranial-cerebral trauma.

In the meantime, the Florida Highway Patrol is vigorously pursuing their inquiry into this distressing event. Describing the investigation as a highly active traffic homicide case, the patrol indicated that the 54-year-old bus driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, cooperated by staying at the scene following the accident.

Furthermore, the spokesperson for the highway patrol highlighted ongoing efforts to understand the circumstances that led the boy to crawl under the bus.

Authorities, including the Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement, are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation. They have conducted interviews with the bus driver, who brings over a decade of driving experience to the table.

In addition to personnel interviews, the bus was subjected to a detailed inspection to eliminate any potential mechanical issues. This comprehensive approach also involves analyzing surveillance footage from the bus and nearby areas to gain a clearer picture of the incident's dynamics.

The community's reaction has been one of profound grief and disbelief. Elyas, remembered by his peers and neighbors as a vibrant and friendly child, had left a significant impact on those around him. Parents, including Kenia Joachim, whose son was close friends with Elyas, expressed their sorrow and shock.

This tragic school bus incident in Florida has not only taken a young life but also left an indelible mark on the community's consciousness.