Man hit by South Bend school bus in critical condition
TOM MOOR South Bend Tribune
11:32 a.m. EST, November 13, 2012
SOUTH BEND — A 59-year-old South Bend man who was struck by a South Bend Community School Corp. bus Monday morning was listed in critical condition today.
Kenneth Reynolds suffered a serious head injury when he was struck just after 7 a.m. at the intersection of Portage and Elwood avenues on the city’s near northwest side.
The driver of the bus, 47-year-old Kimberly Thomas of South Bend, had been driving south on Portage and was at the four-way stop sign. Her turn signal was on and she turned right onto Elwood when she struck Reynolds, police said.
Reynolds was walking north on Portage across Elwood when he was struck. Thomas told police that because of the dark and rain, she did not see Reynolds as he walked in front of the bus.
Police said Reynolds was walking properly on the crosswalk. He was wearing all dark clothing, police noted.
Reynolds lives a block away from where the accident happened in the 1400 block of Portage.
A hospital spokeswoman said Reynolds was in critical condition since he arrived at the hospital but added officials did not believe he was in serious condition at the scene.
Bus 244 had children on it and was en route to LaSalle Academy.
A letter sent from assistant principal Elizabeth Lake to parents Monday notes that the accident was minor and that Reynolds suffered non-life threatening injuries, which turned out not to be the case.
No students on the bus were injured, but they were advised to go to the nurse’s office if they needed to seek medical attention at any point throughout the school day or if they wanted emotional assistance to see a counselor or student manager.
It is unclear if Thomas was cited.
Sue Coney, director of communications for the school district, said today that Thomas has been suspended with pay for two days while the investigation is ongoing.
Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6234
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