Bus Driver: The SUV that hit the child ignored
the flashing lights and stop sign on the bus

(Williamsburg-WABC, June 20, 2006) - Witnesses say a school bus was stopped with its lights flashing when a little girl ran into the street this morning. They say she was hit may a car that may have been passing by at the time.


It happened at the intersection of Marcy Avenue and Middleton Street in East Williamsburg.

Eyewitness News reporter Kemberly Richardson is there live with the latest.

Investigators were trying to find out at noon if the bus driver had his flashing lights to stop cars from passing by the bus when kids are present.

Jenoe Lichtman, Bus Driver: "I beeped her to stop, blowed the horn to stop. She (the driver) ignored everything, she passed the red lights, the flashing lights and hit the child"

Jenoe Lichtman insists he did put on his flashing lights and stop sign when he arrived on Marcy Avenue. The bus driver was there to pick up kids from both sides of the street. But, as little Hannah Freelander ran out of her home, the seven-year-old dashed into the street before she could get to her bus, was hit by a blue SUV. The driver, Patricia Thomas immediately stopped.

Eyewitness: "The child was up under her wheels."

The little girls was rushed to the hospital but her injuries were so severe she died.

The little girl's uncle was too upset to speak. But, there are conflicting reports on rather the bus driver did put on his flashing lights.

There was a heated exchange between people in the neighborhood and people who live in the Jewish religious community. Residents were concerned about something like this happening for a long time.

Mayer Wertzberger, Resident: "There's well over 10,000 kids everyday transported over here into local schools."

The driver says when he's stopped in that area in the past he's tried to park his bus in a way to avoid accidents. But he says he was reprimanded by police.

Jenoe Lichtman, Bus Driver: "We park at an angle where no cars should be able to pass but lately I got a warning. Police stopped me and told me, 'don't ever block the street, just stay straight. If we catch you once more we'll give you a ticket which is going to go 4 points on your license."

Investigators at noontime were out taking pictures of the tires on the SUV, they're also taking measurement. The driver of the SUV, Patricia Thomas was on her way to work when all of this happened.

Eyewitness News has learned she's a speech therapist at a school less than a block away from the accident and was at the hospital being treated for shock.

No charges have been filed yet.