HESPERIA, Mich. — The Superintendent of Hesperia Community Schools sent a letter to families, announcing two students were injured in a crash at a Middle School crosswalk. Thankfully both students are expected to recover.
It happened just after 7:30 a.m. Thursday on South Division Street outside the middle school, according to the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office. The school resource officer for the district was the first on scene and found two boys, ages 12 and 6, had been hit by a van.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Bryan D. Mey noted the school's nurse along with community members who are health professionals also stepped in to help the boys before ambulances arrived.
Both students were taken to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids. The 12-year-old was quickly released to go home. The 6-year-old is being monitored in the hospital.
The sheriff's office says the driver of the vehicle, a 26-year-old woman, disregarded the crossing guard before hitting the boys. Investigators say she appeared to have been distracted by her own children in the vehicle.
Because the impact happened near the school just before classes began, many students saw it or heard about it. School staff were immediately mobilized to help students with counseling and support, and continued doing so as the day went on.
The Superintendent said both Newaygo and Oceana County Sheriff's Departments, MDOT, and the Village of Hesperia are doing everything they can to keep students safe while walking to school.
The Newaygo County Sheriff's Office said students' safety in the crosswalk is the responsibility of everyone.
“Every child deserves to get to school and home safely,” said Deputy Vanderwall, who serves as the Hesperia School Resource Officer. “By taking a few extra seconds to stop at crossings and staying attentive near schools, drivers can prevent serious accidents and save lives. Crosswalk safety is particularly important during busy morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times, when traffic congestion and distractions are at their highest”.
The crash remains under investigation and will be reviewed by the prosecutor's office for potential charges.
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