Police: Two kids approaching school bus hit, killed

(Credit: NBC29) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

By Kelly Avellino, WWBT – NBC12 - WWBT - Richmond, VA News On Your Side

DILLWYN, VA (WWBT) -Two cousins -- ages 5 and 6 -- were killed by a tractor-trailer truck while approaching a school bus in Buckingham County on Thursday morning, according to Virginia State Police.

Recommended Videos



The incident happened on Route 15, near Baptist Union Road, in Dillwyn just before 7:45 a.m. when a truck traveling northbound tried to stop for a school bus that was traveling southbound.

A grandfather said the two children -- 5-year-old Tori Perez and 6-year-old Jaiden Bartee -- were cousins. He also said there were other family members who were getting on the bus, which carries students of all grade levels.

Virginia State Police officials said the bus had not yet come to a complete stop and had its yellow lights flashing when the incident occurred. Police say the two kids got excited about the bus and ran out onto the road before the red lights were displayed.

State police say the bus driver tried to get the attention of the children to not cross the road, but the truck could not stop in time before hitting them. A long line of skid marks from the truck was visible on the road after the incident, and state police say no charges have been filed.

State police also say the truck driver was not speeding and the 75,000-pound truck that was carrying mulch was within a legal weight range.

The Virginia State Police Appomattox Division's Accident Reconstruction Team and Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Safety Team are on the scene assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.

NBC12's Kelly Avellino is on the scene and will have additional updates on air and online throughout the day.