A Callaway Hills Elementary School student was struck by a car after she exited her bus Tuesday after school, but authorities credit the bus driver with keeping the child from being hurt much worse.
According to school district officials, the bus had come to a stop on Route AA, at County Road 482, in Callaway County and the driver had put down the safety arm.
According to Missouri Highway Patrol, this was around 3:26 p.m.
A vehicle driven by Famous L. Bittick, 18, Holts Summit, was following the bus and failed to stop. He slid around the left corner then struck the child, identified as Stalena Whitehead, 7, Holts Summit.
The bus driver, identified by school officials as Dustin Wulf, saw that the car was approaching too fast, honked the bus horn to warn the child who was able to step back before being grazed by the car.
Whitehead was treated on site by emergency responders and taken to St. Mary's Medical Center where she was treated for bruises and abrasions.
Bittick was wearing a seat belt and was cited for not having insurance along with careless and imprudent driving.
School officials thanked the bus driver for his quick actions as well as the emergency responders for their care of the child.
It is against the law to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the safety arm is down.
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