A tragic encounter on the roads of the northwest Las Vegas Valley claimed the life of 12-year-old Haylee Ryan after a school bus collision on Monday afternoon. According to FOX5, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) confirmed the incident occurred near Bradley Road and West Tropical Parkway just after 3:20 p.m. The collision has added to a disturbing trend of traffic-related fatalities, marking the 124th in the department's jurisdiction this year.
The LVMPD investigation details reveal that Haylee was riding westbound in the bicycle lane when she tragically collided with the school bus and was projected into an SUV before falling to the ground. "I just know Haylee is with God right now, and that's the only thing that's keeping me going these last few months and she was an amazing girl. She’s gonna be missed and I know the school is impacted by her and all of her friends and family love her," Haylee’s mother, Meghan Ryan, told 8 News Now in an emotional interview. The report from LVMPD further indicates that the bus was carrying 55 students, none of whom were injured, and was driven by a 75-year-old driver. Police said neither driver appeared to be impaired at the scene.
In the wake of this horrific event, the Clark County School District issued a somber statement obtained by both FOX5 and 8 News Now stating: "The District is devastated to learn of the traffic collision near Tropical Parkway and Bradley Road involving a CCSD school bus and a student. Administrators from Lied STEM Academy, along with District leadership, are providing support to students and families."
This tragic crash is the third such incident involving a juvenile in the past three weeks, prompting parents and the community at large to raise an alarm. Bethany Limov, parent and advocate with the group Walking Safely LV, stressed the gravity of the situation, "I can’t even put into words. It’s sad. It’s heartbreaking. It’s upsetting,” Limov said. “I’m a parent. I have four kids, and one of my kids is a high school student. It’s terrifying and scary.” In a statement obtained by FOX5, Limov voices the collective concern and hope that such incidents can be averted in the future. The stark reality of losing a child to a traffic incident challenges, indeed, forces the community to reflect on the sobering responsibilities shared by drivers and pedestrians alike.
