11-year-old girl fatally struck by school bus in Aspen Hill after walking home from school
ASPEN HILL, MD — An 11-year-old girl was killed Thursday afternoon when she was hit by a school bus while walking home with her bicycle in Aspen Hill, marking the second deadly student-pedestrian crash in Montgomery County this school year.
The Montgomery County Department of Police said the collision occurred around 3:15 p.m. at the intersection of Russett Road and Bauer Drive. The girl was not a passenger on the bus but lived nearby and had just left school when she was struck behind the vehicle. She died at the scene.
The bus was transporting students from Earl B. Wood Middle School. While no children on the bus were injured, a second bus was dispatched to transfer the students to a reunification site. Officials said all students were accounted for and safely reunited with families.
Investigators said the full circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. No charges have been filed, and officials stated that any decisions regarding charges will be made after the investigation is complete.
Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor said the district is mourning alongside the community and offering full support to the family, students, and staff impacted by the loss.
The incident sent shockwaves through the neighborhood. Residents placed teddy bears and flowers near the site of the crash as a growing memorial began to take shape. Community members expressed sorrow and frustration, with many pointing to long-standing concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety in the area.
This tragedy is the second time a Montgomery County student has been killed while walking to or from school this academic year, prompting renewed focus on pedestrian safety protocols. Officials said the district has already begun reviewing school walk zones and transportation safety metrics used to determine safe walking areas for students. Road safety policies and enforcement in school zones are also being reevaluated.
Nearby residents said they have made efforts to improve safety at the intersection, including installing measures to slow down traffic. Still, they say more action is needed to protect children walking through neighborhoods, especially during school hours.
Some urged parents to continue having conversations with children about road safety and called on drivers to be more alert, particularly near schools and crosswalks.
Key Points
- 11-year-old girl fatally struck by school bus Thursday while walking her bike in Aspen Hill
- Bus was transporting students from Earl B. Wood Middle School; no injuries reported on board
- Second MCPS student pedestrian death this school year sparks focus on walk zone safety and traffic control