A 70-year-old Dayton ISD bus driver is in custody after police say he struck a 14-year-old boy and drove away without stopping, leaving the teen critically injured and fighting for his life at a Houston hospital. Ricky Eugene Cherry, a Dayton resident, was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run, which happened early Friday near the eastbound intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and Stilson Road.
According to Bluebonnet News, the collision happened between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m., and the driver failed to stop and render aid before fleeing the scene. The outlet reported the crash seriously injured a Woodrow Wilson Junior High student. The injured teen has been identified by his family only as Brantley, and he is currently being treated at Texas Children's Hospital, according to Click2Houston.
Conflicting details have emerged about exactly what vehicle was involved in the crash. ABC13 reported that a school bus struck the child at the intersection, according to ABC13, while Bluebonnet News reported that police had not specified which vehicle was involved in the collision. ABC13 also reported that authorities had not revealed whether the child was a student or whether he was getting on or off a bus at the time.
Family Describes a Bright Boy Fighting for His Life
Brantley's aunt told Click2Houston that the family is devastated by what happened and described him as a bright, smart young boy. The Vindicator separately reported that the injured juvenile is a student at Woodrow Wilson Junior High, according to The Vindicator. Dayton ISD said counselors are available to provide emotional support and assistance to students and staff following the crash, per the same outlet.
The question of what charge Cherry faces is also unresolved across reports. ABC13 reported that jail records showed Cherry was charged with collision causing serious bodily injury, while Bluebonnet News reported that police did not identify the charge or specify the vehicle involved. Click2Houston reported that Dayton police had not released specific charges against Cherry as of its report.
Investigation Remains Active as Police Seek Witnesses
The hit-and-run investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant dashcam or security camera footage from eastbound U.S. 90 that morning to come forward, the Bluebonnet News report notes. People with information are asked to contact the Dayton Police Department at 936-258-7621.
The crash adds to a troubling pattern on Texas roads involving school buses. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that seven people were killed and 85 seriously injured in 2,358 crashes involving school buses across the state in 2025, with speeding and distracted driving identified as leading factors. No further details on Cherry's custody status or upcoming court proceedings have been made public, and Brantley's current medical condition has not been further specified beyond the serious injuries described by his family and police.
