Student Struck by Car at School Bus Stop

This story has been updated

A State College Area School District student was struck by a car while she was approaching to board a school bus Monday morning.

Patton Township Police are investigating the incident, which took place at about 8 a.m. on the 600 block of Toftrees Avenue while the bus was stopped. According to police, the school bus was facing eastbound and the car was traveling westbound when the driver of the car made a left hand turn into Highwood Estates at 650 Toftrees Avenue, striking the child

The upper elementary student was conscious and alert after the collision and taken by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released and is recovering, according to the school district.

‘Our thoughts at this time are with our student and the family,’ SCASD Superintendent Bob O’Donnell said. ‘This unfortunate situation serves as a reminder to everyone in our community that the flashing red lights on a bus are a mandatory signal to stop your vehicle.’

State law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended and must remain stopped until children have reached a place of safety.

The driver of the striking vehicle will be cited for meeting or overtaking a school bus, police said. If convicted, the charge carries a fine of $250, 60-day license suspension and five points assessed to the driver’s record.