Olney-Bissell student struck by vehicle while exiting school bus

A 6-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle and sustained injuries after school on Tuesday as she was getting off the school bus just west of Whitefish on U.S. 93.

A press release from Olney-Bissell School Administrator Trevor Dahlman said the student exited the bus with other students at a designated stop near mile marker 137 and was struck about 4:44 p.m. by an oncoming vehicle that failed to stop, even though the proper bus lights and stop signs were fully activated.

The girl was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, the press release said. According to a report from KECI-TV in Missoula, the child suffered a traumatic brain injury.

The Montana Highway Patrol and Olney-Bissell School District are investigating the crash, the release noted.

Olney-Bissell staff met early Wednesday morning, “with the support of Whitefish School District administrators and counselors in order to debrief and develop a plan to support our students, staff and families,” Dahlman said. “Olney-Bissell School District will continue to make student safety our top priority.”

Roads were snow-covered at the time of the accident, but it’s unknown whether road conditions were a factor in the crash.

KECI-TV reported that no arrests have been made, but charges are pending.