By Holly Fesperman Lee

Salisbury Post

An East Rowan High School student was hit by a car early Thursday as he tried to cross Bringle Ferry Road and board a Rowan-Salisbury school bus.

N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. B. Hower said troopers were dispatched to 4970 Bringle Ferry Road about 6:30 a.m.

According to Rita Foil, the Rowan-Salisbury School System’s public information officer, the student was trying to get on bus 275.

“The bus was stopped, and everything was working properly. … The lights were flashing. The arm was out.

“The student started to cross the street. When he looked back, he saw the car coming. Then, the bus driver blew the horn.”

A female driver struck the student. He was knocked down but not injured.

Hower said the accident was classified as property damage only — not personal injury.

According to Foil, the student was not taken to a hospital.

The woman driving the car has been charged, but Foil said she wasn’t sure with what offense.

Highway Patrol Trooper J. Doty investigated the accident. A report about the accident hadn’t been filed Thursday afternoon, and First Sgt. Hower said Doty wouldn’t be back on duty until Saturday.

Most school bus stops don’t require students to cross the road, but the Transportation Department plans to look at further reducing the number of stops where students must cross a road, Foil said.

“As Rowan County citizens we need to be more aware and more alert. We really need to stop and think about the safety of our children. There’s nothing more precious than our children,” Foil said.

Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.