Student near school bus hit by driver in stolen SUV

CHARLOTTE — A student was hurt after being hit by an SUV at a school bus stop Thursday morning, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

It happened around 8:50 a.m. on Arborgate Drive near East Arrowood Road.

Carmel Middle School student Jefferson Reynoso was going to get on the bus when he stopped to pick up a dropped cellphone, witnesses said.

A stolen white SUV was speeding past the stopped school bus when it struck the child, police said.

The student was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to MEDIC.

“It’s hard for me because I haven’t seen my son,” said Carmelita Chavez, the boy’s mother.

The SUV sped away from the scene, police said.

“He could’ve probably stopped and waited to see if he was OK,” Chaves said.

Classmates, who stood with Reynoso at the bus stop, were stunned.

“We were just so scared, and I was shaking,” said witness Nataly Leaonor.

She and other students said the bus driver clearly extended the stop sign.

All the other cars in the area stopped for the bus, witnesses said.

CMS said there were 48 other students on the bus.

Many of them saw or heard the crash.

CMS said counselors were available to students on Thursday who needed to talk.

Police found the stolen SUV, which was abandoned, but not the driver.

Chavez wants the driver to go to the police immediately.

“I just want him to be responsible,” Chavez said.

Police said that the school bus stop arms were not working when the student was hit.

That may not have played a major role in this case, witnesses said.

This is a developing story; wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Family of hit-and-run victim pleads for driver to turn themselves in

Family of hit-and-run victim pleads for driver to turn themselves in

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