A group of bus drivers are remembering the life of an eight year old boy killed on Monday.
The group came together Tuesday to pray for Haji Mohamed, his family and for the bus driver involved in Monday's tragic accident. Mohamed was hit by his school bus when he attempted to run across Sprague Street. He was rushed from the scene, but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
At a bus barn not far from Eppley Airfield, bus drivers and former bus drivers gathered in a circle of hope and healing, there to remember a little boy taken too soon. They also prayed for the driver of that bus, who will now have to live with this tragedy forever.
Frank Hinsley drives for Student Transportation of America and he tells 6 News that this hits close to home for him and other drivers. A lot of us didn't even want to come in this morning. But we know it's our job and we do what we have to do. We love these kids. Like we said in the prayer, they are our cargo. They are our precious cargo."
Investigators say the driver dropped off Mohamed near his home at 22nd and Sprague and as the bus driver continued her route, Mohamed ran into the street.
Driver Albert Patterson found out what happened when he returned home from his bus route Monday. “This hurts. It hurts deeply. It just rips me when you get right down to it. I've got grandchildren, great grandchildren. You look at the child as if he's one of your own, really."
The incident is under investigation.
(Photo courtesy of 6 News)