Belle Vernon elementary student hit by vehicle while waiting for bus dies
BELLE VERNON, Pa. (KDKA) — A 6-year-old girl was flown to the hospital but later died after she was struck by the driver of a vehicle on Friday morning.
Police said the girl was walking with a group of about six other children when she apparently stepped into traffic and got hit by a vehicle on Fayette Street, which has no school bus signs, lights or crosswalks. It happened just after 8 a.m. and they say she was walking from her home, reached the sidewalk and went to cross the road when she was hit.
The assistant fire chief and her mother later confirmed the girl, Aria Mae Woznick, died.
"She was the light of our life," her mother Amanda Woznick said. "She had no fear and was definitely a firecracker. We called her a sour patch kid."
A man who had two children who were with the girl when it happened said he was also one of the first people on the scene, along with first responders, to care for her until a medical helicopter arrived to take her to UPMC Children's Hospital.
"I ran over and put my jacket on her, a first responder was here that beat me and police got here and she was laying there unresponsive, it's scary," said Buddy Blackburn.
"My wife calls the school all the time about it, people flying around," he added. "This shouldn't happen at all."
Now many parents are pushing for change, believing this could have been prevented.
"It would be great for Rostraver Township or North Belle Vernon or both to put signs on either side of where they cross that says, 'slow down, children crossing' or maybe even put one with the lights since ... there's usually a lot of people right here waiting for the bus or waiting for their children to get off the bus," said Mary Kay Glunt, pastor at First Presbyterian Church.
The girl was a student at Marion Elementary School and the district released a statement shortly after.
"The Belle Vernon Area School District is saddened to report that the student injured in this morning's accident has died. The District offers its deepest sympathies and support of the family as a result of this tragic event.
"BVASD school counselors and members of the Westmoreland County DCORT team have been on site at Marion Elementary School to provide support and counseling services to students and staff.
"On Saturday, February 25, 2023 additional counseling services will be available for students, faculty, and community members between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm at the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall located at 543 Broad Avenue North Belle Vernon, PA 15012. Counselors will continue to be available to assist with additional counseling and support.
"Once again, we wish to thank community agencies and neighboring school districts for the outpouring of support. Our focus will continue to be with the family now and into the future."
Police said the driver stopped after it happened and cooperated with police. So far no charges have been filed.
The North Belle Vernon Fire Department said it is hosting bingo on Sunday to raise money for the family.
"This will be held at our social hall located at 545 Broad Ave Belle Vernon Pa. Doors open at 11am and Bingo will start at 1pm. Again ALL proceeds will go directly to the family," the department said on Facebook.