A few days ago, neighbors spotted 6-year-old Rodney Hampton shooing a bird from his backyard.
Wednesday, they gaped in horror as he lay in the street, critically injured after he was struck by his school bus in what police are calling an accident. Hampton, a student at Campfield Childhood Learning and Development Center in Pikesville, continued to fight for his life yesterday in the intensive care unit of Johns Hopkins Children?s Center.
“I had no idea it was that bad,” said Jaime Davidov, who lives next door to the Hampton family and consoled Rodney Hampton?s older brother after the incident. “I?m just praying for him.”
Baltimore County police said they received a call 4 p.m. Wednesday for a hit-and-run at the intersection of Ivanhoe Place and Clarendon Avenue. After letting Rodney Hampton and his 8-year-old brother off the bus, the driver told police she watched the
children cross diagonally in front.
But at the last second, the boys darted back in front of the bus, possibly heading for a 4-foot dirt pile to play, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Vickie Warehime. The bus clipped the older brother, who then noticed his brother on the ground, his head bleeding.
Not realizing what happened, the bus driver left, Warehime said.
“Once we tell her, she is visibly upset,” Warehime said. “She said, ?I don?t understand it. There?s no way how that could have happened.? ”
Police found blood on the back of the bus? mud flap near a rear tire. Police said their preliminary investigation indicates pedestrian error and no charges have been filed.
County schools spokesman Charles Herndon said the driver was pulled off her route as standard procedure and the county is conducting a separate investigation.
Neighbor Bill Hutt, who has lived on the quiet intersection for 30 years, said the bus driver is cautious.
“Cars squeal tires and run that stop sign, but the buses don?t,” Hutt said.
