Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER -- A sophomore at Winder-Barrow High School suffered a broken leg Wednesday morning after he was struck by a car while crossing the road to board his school bus, officials said.

Dante Jones, 15, was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment after he was hit by a 1999 Mercedes Benz in front of his home on Miles Patrick Road in Winder, officials said. Barrow County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Leighton said Dante's right leg was severely broken, but he had no other injuries except for scrapes and abrasions.

The bus driver had just started picking up middle and high school students, and there were only a few children on the bus who witnessed the accident, Leighton said. She did not know the exact number of students on the bus.

The initial investigation revealed the driver of the car may have been distracted and ran through the bus' flashing lights and stop sign, said Bryant Cruse, an accident reconstruction officer with the Winder Police Department. The driver, who was not identified, was released from the scene pending the completion of the investigation.

Cruse said several witnesses have to be interviewed, including the bus driver, but he expects to conclude the investigation soon. Charges are likely.

Leighton said the students on the bus and the bus driver were taken to Winder-Barrow High School to receive support from school counselors.