AUSTIN – Just two weeks into the school year, video has been released of two Austin, Texas students being hit by trucks in separate incidents seconds after they stepped off their school bus.
On Monday, Amy McFadden's 12-year-old son was hit in the crosswalk at the intersection of South First Street and St. Elmo Road in South Austin.
"There's nothing worse than that phone call where all you can hear are sirens and a child crying," McFadden, who is also the librarian at St. Elmo Elementary, told KXAN.
The middle school student, hit by a black truck turning right, stood up shortly after being knocked to the ground by the impact.
"I kept shaking because it's the most horrible thing to watch," said McFadden. "This driver was not some evil person. He was doing what we all do. We all have days when we're in a hurry."
On Tuesday, a 17-year-old high school student was hit by a 16-year-old driver in West Austin at Courtyard Drive and North Scout Island Circle. In the video, the driver does not appear to hit the brakes until only a few feet away from the teenager. The school bus’ stop sign is seen extended and flashing.
The students in both cases were not seriously injured. The 12-year-old walked away with bumps and bruises, and the 17-year-old was taken to the hospital by ambulance to get checked out.
In both cases, the drivers stayed at the scene and were cited by police.
During the first week of school, AISD police say their stop arm cameras have caught between 900 and 1,000 violators. During the entire school year last year, a total of 6,600 citations were issued.