A dark-colored pickup truck struck two 16-year-old students waiting for their school bus on Forest Street in Carver early Thursday morning, then sped off without stopping, according to Carver police. The teens, both students at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, were hit by the truck's side mirror as their bus approached the stop with its yellow warning lights flashing.
The incident happened at approximately 7:20 a.m., according to a statement from the Carver Police Department, which said it is now seeking the public's help identifying the truck, described as dark-colored and equipped with LED lights. The vehicle drove off immediately after striking the students, police said.
Both teens were taken separately by family members to area hospitals, and at least one had been released, according to a report from NBC Boston. As reported by WHDH, the bus driver reported seeing the two 16-year-olds get hit by the passing truck, and the Old Colony bus company subsequently contacted police about the incident.
School Leader Reaches Out to Families
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Superintendent-Director Aaron Polansky said the school has been in touch with the injured students' families. “We have reached out to the families of the injured students,” Polansky said, per the same account from news.jgpr.net. He added that the school is keeping both students and their families in its thoughts and wishes them a fast and full recovery, and he encouraged community members to assist Carver police with the investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information, or anyone who was in the area of Forest Street around 6 a.m. Thursday, to contact Carver Police Detective Joshua Shaw at 508-866-2000, extension 1612. No arrest or vehicle identification had been announced as of Thursday.
What Massachusetts Law Says About Fleeing a Collision
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24, a driver who knowingly leaves the scene after colliding with or injuring a person without stopping and providing identifying information can face imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years, along with a fine of $500 to $1,000, according to the Massachusetts General Court. No charges had been filed in connection with Thursday's incident as of this report.
