Child hit, killed by Boston school bus identified as 5-year-old boy
The little boy who was hit and killed by a school bus in Boston was identified by his family Tuesday as 5-year-old Lens Arthur Joseph.
He was hit by the bus on Washington Street in Hyde Park Monday afternoon on his way home from kindergarten at the UP Academy Charter School. He was rushed to a hospital where he died. Police said the driver is cooperating with investigators as they try to figure out exactly what happened.
Lens' uncle told WBZ-TV his nephew was dropped off in a different spot on the other side of the street and was hit when he tried to cross the road.
"The bus driver drop him off. Hit him," Remercie Edmond, the boy's great aunt said.
No charges have been filed at this point in the investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
The family is holding onto memories of Lens, while they deal with heart wrenching loss. "He's a happy boy. Very smart boy and very intelligent boy. Make everybody happy and he's going to be missed," Edmond said.
"Tragic situation"
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox called it a "tragic, tragic situation."
"We have a lot of evidence to pull, a lot of witnesses to talk to so it may be a few more days before we're able to speak to the subject matter around this," he told reporters Tuesday, adding that they have a lot of video to go through, including from the bus and the neighborhood.
"There's so many different angles and aspects to this, to talk about it prematurely wouldn't justify the work that this needs. This was a horrific incident and we're going to treat it with the significance that it deserves. So that means not talking about some things until we have way more information."
Neighbors have been dropping off flowers at the site. One left a stuffed animal there. Grief counselors have been available at the school for students and staff.
"To hear a child lost a life senselessly is just devastating for our community," said Marcia Kimm, the founder of the West Fairmount Hill Community Group. "This child's name has to be remembered. He cannot die in vain."
The group is planning a memorial to honor him.
At an event in Mattapan Tuesday, Boston Mayor Wu asked for a moment of silence for Lens and his family.
"We just want to offer our continued thoughts, prayers, condolences as we try to support them," Wu said.
