15-year-old struck while boarding school bus in Manitowoc County

Local officials are reminding drivers to stop for school busses that are picking up and dropping off children after a 15-year-old boy was struck yesterday attempting to board a bus in Manitowoc County.

At 7:23 am, Deputies from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, along with EMS were dispatched to the incident in the 7000 block of County Highway J, about two miles east of St. Nazianz.

Investigation showed the school bus was stopped in the northbound lane of Highway J with its flashing lights and stop arm extended.  The 15-year-old was attempting to cross the roadway when he was struck by a Ford F-150 operated by a 59-year-old man from the Village of St. Nazianz driving in the southbound lane.  The 15-year-old sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

The 59-year-old driver was cited for Failure to Stop for a School Bus and Inattentive Driving.

In Wisconsin, failing to stop for a school bus (with red lights flashing/arm out) results in significant penalties, including fines starting around $300-$500 for a first offense (or higher depending on recent law changes), plus 4 demerit points, with increased fines for repeat offenses and potential license suspension.

The law requires stopping at least 20 feet away until the bus moves, and violations can be reported by the bus driver, leading to citations even without an officer witnessing it.