The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a report on Friday revealing the tragic circumstances surrounding the horrific crash last month when 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez was killed after being struck by a school bus.
[RELATED: Sheriff Releases More Details on Tragic School-Bus Crash that Killed a 5-Year-Old in Standish…]
The NTSB, a federal agency responsible for investigating high-profile crashes, released its preliminary report, providing details without laying blame on the victim or the driver, Lori Ann Merrifield, 64.
According to the report, the bus was at a stop on Route 35 in Standish at approximately 8:00 a.m. when a seven-year-old, the victim’s half-brother, boarded the bus.
Gonzalez approached the bus from the right rear when the doors began to close.
In order to avoid being shut out of the bus, Gonzalez reportedly stuck his left arm into the bus as the doors were closing.
The doors closed on him, and he became stuck.
The bus began traveling southbound on Route 35, dragging Gonzalez along for about 280 feet.
After being dragged, Gonzalez fell out of the doors and was run over by the bus, sustaining fatal injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the NTSB plans to issue safety recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies.
