Child, 7, Hit Trying To Board Bus

A 7-year-old boy was in critical condition on Thursday after being hit by a truck while trying to board a school bus in Warren County .

[Teri inMcMinnville]

Our thoughts and prayers got out to both of the families that have lost their children this week. I hope the family that their child was hit by a truck gets justice and something is done to that driver that took your son at a young age..

God Bless

[sad mother]

It is a sad day when a mother losses a child, my heart goes out to the the family and friends. May God bring peace to you in your time of sorrow. There is no right justice in todays world but I hope the driver get what is comming to her in the end.

God Bless

[Teri inMcMinnville]

This is still under investigation there are many people at fault here like the dispatcher, bus garage, the parents, bus driver and the driver that hit this little boy..

I know you can not always believe what you read but the paper says there were no lights on the bus and when the driver called it in they told her to finish her route, the driver why wasn't she paying attention, if you know their are children in your neighborhood and you know they go to school why would you not watch for children especially on a busy road, and the parents why were they not out watching their child so he was safe, at 7 that is young to be out waiting on a bus by themselves.I know some parents leave early for work but I would think a child's life in more important and I would figure out other arrangements. I know I go out every morning with all of my children to make sure they are safe.. if it was not a driver hitting him there could of been a person wanting to kidnap one, and then kill them..

Rest in Peace little one

[Angery]

His two brothers where with him getting on tthe bus also. Could have been worse-lost one could have been two or three.

Teri inMcMinnville wrote:

This is still under investigation there are many people at fault here like the dispatcher, bus garage, the parents, bus driver and the driver that hit this little boy..
I know you can not always believe what you read but the paper says there were no lights on the bus and when the driver called it in they told her to finish her route, the driver why wasn't she paying attention, if you know their are children in your neighborhood and you know they go to school why would you not watch for children especially on a busy road, and the parents why were they not out watching their child so he was safe, at 7 that is young to be out waiting on a bus by themselves.I know some parents leave early for work but I would think a child's life in more important and I would figure out other arrangements. I know I go out every morning with all of my children to make sure they are safe.. if it was not a driver hitting him there could of been a person wanting to kidnap one, and then kill them..
Rest in Peace little one

[happyN2006]

A girl in my class told us today about this. It broke my heart to hear this, he had so much life ahead of him. I donated some money to the family, it wasn't much but I hope it helps in some way. Instead of people thinking of who to lay the blame on right now, you all should be leaving kind words and support to the family, I'm sure they will soon read this and they don't need to see any negative comments. To the family my thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time, I hope that God will help comfort you and get everyone through this. RIP little guy....

[McMinnville Mom]

I am completely shocked and humilated for you that you would even suggest that the parents are to blame. Yes hind site it 20/20! But you are not the mother of a child that has had something bad happen to them. What if tomorrow something happened to your child? Would you want some self rightous person saying that it was somehow your fault? I am sure they have wished a million times that it had not happened the way that it did. But good grief woman have a little compassion for the ones left behind. They have to live everyday with the horrible memory of that day.

Teri inMcMinnville wrote:

This is still under investigation there are many people at fault here like the dispatcher, bus garage, the parents, bus driver and the driver that hit this little boy..
I know you can not always believe what you read but the paper says there were no lights on the bus and when the driver called it in they told her to finish her route, the driver why wasn't she paying attention, if you know their are children in your neighborhood and you know they go to school why would you not watch for children especially on a busy road, and the parents why were they not out watching their child so he was safe, at 7 that is young to be out waiting on a bus by themselves.I know some parents leave early for work but I would think a child's life in more important and I would figure out other arrangements. I know I go out every morning with all of my children to make sure they are safe.. if it was not a driver hitting him there could of been a person wanting to kidnap one, and then kill them..
Rest in Peace little one

[Teri inMcMinnville]

I never once blamed the family just asking questions... you do not know me you have no clue if I have lost a child like this or not... I have heard the person that hit this child is not even going to be charged... so there so many question and not enough answers.. so before you tell me how I would feel maybe you might think before you open your mouth... we can not blame everything on the bus driver, she called the bus garage to let them know that the light were not working.. if I saw that my kids bus had no lights on I would of not let them ride it and took them myselfs and than made me some phone calls....

Mr.& Mrs. Simmons if you are or anyone in your family is reading this I had no attention on blaming this on you at all.... just so many question onto why and how this could of happened... Rest In Peace Sydric

[jacki]

Why is the driver that hit the child not being charged? It was a teenager texting while driving. Why should the poor bus driver be put on trial? I know her and she is a loving wonderful person just out trying hard to make a living.

[Teri inMcMinnville]

It was a 34 yr old women that hit this little boy, and there were no bus light on the stop sign and the yellow and right lights on top of the bus.. personally I think that driver needs a ticket or something because that would be like us running a stop sign and telling the police that the red lights were out..

I know this driver to and if she knew that there were no light why didn't she get a sub bus.. those kids on that bus even told her that they were not working..

[Scott]

Teri you are completely wrong the tape from the bus shows that NOT ONE child said to the drive that the lights were not working. The Stop sign was pushed out so therefor the driver was responsible for stopping while the child was crossing the road. She was going to fast to stop that is the reason she hit the kid. I feel she was not paying attention and the driver needs to be the one beging charged. Not the bus driver that has lived her life serving the community and taking care of our children for the past 37 years. She is a wonderful woman and a good christian person. She does not deserve this and I hope and pray that justice is served on the person responsible. If you live in McMinnville just go look at the place it happened. The driver had to be flying. She had to turn around and come back to see if she hit something. This bus driver is a good woman and I will back her all the way. And I will make sure that the community gets involved to back her as well. She has taken care of most of the communities children the past 37 years. She is very well known. She is a pastors wife and always puts our children first. WE LOVE YOU BARBARA NUNLEY HANG IN THERE THE COMMUNITY IS BACKING YOU ALL THE WAY...

Teri inMcMinnville wrote:

It was a 34 yr old women that hit this little boy, and there were no bus light on the stop sign and the yellow and right lights on top of the bus.. personally I think that driver needs a ticket or something because that would be like us running a stop sign and telling the police that the red lights were out..
I know this driver to and if she knew that there were no light why didn't she get a sub bus.. those kids on that bus even told her that they were not working..

[Teri inMcMinnville]

Scott,
There are so many stories on this the paper says one thing, the police say another.. I have only wrote what I have either heard or read.. then if that is all true why so the bus go back to the garage and fix the lights. I knew Barbara and you are right she is a caring loving women and I sure she would not do anything that would hurt our children. I agree the driver of the car should pay for her actions...

Scott I also did not want to sound rude or anything but you can you trust if the papers and police do not even tell you the right story..

Take Care,
Teri

[Scott]

Teri, the reason she left the accident was because the kids on her bus were watching this child spit out blood and die, so she asked what she needed to do and they told her to get out of there, the traffic was so backed up they ambulances could not even get to the child. She also followed her supervisors directions to bring the bus into the garage. If it were your kid on her bus would you have not wanted her to get your kid out of there? If you are a mother you know in your heart that you would not want your child watching all that. Those children did not deserve to see all that. I know I would not want my child watching. I support her decision to leave, she was not even part of the accident. Those Children had seen enough. That little boys pants were knocked off and so were his shoes, he was hit so hard. This is something I would not want my children to see.

[Scott]

I hope the residents of McMinnville backs this bus driver. I know I am going to spread the word, it is my right. This woman loves everyone of the kids that ride her bus. She would never do anything to hurt them. And for her to be accused for this I feel is wrong, and that is my right. I just pray that all people here in McMinnville will show her support and back her. And I hope her story comes out soon. If Barbara ever talks the truth will be told. All we can do here in McMinnville is sit back and wait for her to come out with her side. Remember she was the one there, and she is the one having to deal with all this. I have already sent her a letter of support. And I know that most of the community has been doing the same thing.

[Teri inMcMinnville]

Scott wrote:

Teri, the reason she left the accident was because the kids on her bus were watching this child spit out blood and die, so she asked what she needed to do and they told her to get out of there, the traffic was so backed up they ambulances could not even get to the child. She also followed her supervisors directions to bring the bus into the garage. If it were your kid on her bus would you have not wanted her to get your kid out of there? If you are a mother you know in your heart that you would not want your child watching all that. Those children did not deserve to see all that. I know I would not want my child watching. I support her decision to leave, she was not even part of the accident. Those Children had seen enough. That little boys pants were knocked off and so were his shoes, he was hit so hard. This is something I would not want my children to see.

You are right I would not want my kids to see that but if I was driving my car and someone hit a child and I was to witness a child get hit, the law says I would have to wait for the police to get there and if I did not that I would be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Wouldn't that be the same thing she did leave the scene of that accident even though we do not want our children to ever see something like that some times there are no way around it.

I understand where you are coming from and hopefully those kids will never have to see that again..

[Scott]

The cops were there before she left. They told her to get that bus out of there. We were lined up behind that bus over a mile both ways. There was no way help could have gotten in. But believe me the cops were there and she was instructed to leave.

[Sherry]

Scott wrote:

I hope the residents of McMinnville backs this bus driver. I know I am going to spread the word, it is my right. This woman loves everyone of the kids that ride her bus. She would never do anything to hurt them. And for her to be accused for this I feel is wrong, and that is my right. I just pray that all people here in McMinnville will show her support and back her. And I hope her story comes out soon. If Barbara ever talks the truth will be told. All we can do here in McMinnville is sit back and wait for her to come out with her side. Remember she was the one there, and she is the one having to deal with all this. I have already sent her a letter of support. And I know that most of the community has been doing the same thing.

As a mother myself there was no need for your detailed information and I am shocked you included it in your comment. We all know more than likely what was being seen but to go into detail about those things is hurtful to everyone especially if the parents read this. It is a terrible thing that happened and everyone is making it worse by detailing things and arguing. This little boy lost his life and their are faults that were made that lead to this in many ways not just one. I hope and pray that as terrible as this was that their will be better ways for children to board buses instead of crossing any street. Even if the bus has to pull into every driveway anything is better than having something like this ever happen again. My heart goes out to you Lori and your family. Look to God for strength. Everyone on here please remember to keep things appropriate for all who may read including family members of this sweet young boy. Show respect.

[aintitapickle]

The woman who killed the child has not been mentioned since she hit the boy. Eye witness accounts estimate her speed at between 70 to 80 miles an hour on a winding mountainous county road with a speed limit of thirty five. She crested the top of the hill and came down on that child like a bolt of lightning. It wouldn't have mattered if the bus had been lit up like Washington D.C. on the fourth of July. She would have hit and killed that boy. She left a thirty foot skid mark. A friend of mine knows her and stated that she is mentally retarded. She also has a muscular disease that is crippling. From all appearances she is related to some big wig in the county and it is going to be a struggle to see justice done in this place.
Barbara Nunley the bus driver and the mechanics on duty at the time have all be indicted. Think about it...the bus driver arrested and indicted for vehicular manslaughter, while the actual murderer of the boy has been left alone. Southern justice?

[Scott]

Sherry I am very sorry about the graphics. Please keep in mind that my heart does go out to this family and I am praying for them everyday. I am just tired of people pointing the blame at the poor bus driver and the mechanics. These people are not the ones to blame. And I have heard the same thing. I have heard that the girl that hit the kid, her uncle was a state Rep. And I have also heard that she was mentally retarded. The girl drove down the road a few miles before coming back to the accident. My heart goes out to this family and like I said before I am praying for Lorie and James. I am also praying for Barbara Nunley and the Mechanics involved in this that justice will be served on the right person. And once again I am sorry about the graphics. Its just people need to realize that if I would have been the driver of the bus I would have drove off too once I was told by the cops and my supervisor. Those kids did not neet to see that.

[chris]

I am glad to see that some of the communty is actually looking at this situation with a sound mind. It is crazy and ludicrous that the woman driving the car has not been charged.

As for Barbara and the bus Garage Employees their is a lot to be said. As scott Stated, Barbara has served as a bus driver for 37 years and has ALWAYS had her children at heart. She has been recognized time and time again for her heroic duties and has been in many situations over the years where she has had to think quick to take care of her kids and avoid accidents. In addition she has taken it upon herself to do things for chilren/families in the community (Ie: Buy sneakers for a child that could not afford them, pay a family phone bill, dedicate time to the community, etc)all at her time and expense. For those of you who don't know, Barbara and Billy Nunley have spent the majority of their life founding and running the local Church of God. Barbara would have never put her children in danger.

I also have to agree with Scott. Barbara was asked to get the children and the bus out of harms way. She should also not be held accountable for the "stupid" actions of the bus garage employee who decided to take it upon themselves to fix the bus before it was investigated (tampering with evidence).

The wholE situation boils down to a few things. The DA needs to get her act together and look at the situation as if it was her own. THE DRIVER OF THE CAR was doing 70 miles per hours and had to come back to see what she had done. If she is so mentally unstable to begin with she shold not be driving, so its NOT AN EXCUSE for her actions.

We are Praying for the famalies that are all being hurt by this trauma, and we are all here for you.

[aintitapickle]

Chris,
I know that you were not trying to judge these mechanics, but you need to know this. These men are trained that when they see something wrong on a bus they jump on it like a bird on a june bug and fix it. They take wonderful care of these buses that transport not only your children, but theirs as well. They are fathers and grandfathers themselves.
They already knew that the situation was known...it had been all over the radio, they police and public had seen it....this is not something they were trying to cover up. As far as they knew that bus was going to be running that afternoon. They were not thinking of criminal investigation, because they have no criminal experience. They were thinking of children and their parents. They are part of the answer, not the problem.