Community mourns girl, 6, struck, killed by school bus in Frankfort
FRANKFORT, Ill. (WLS) -- The community in Frankfort is mourning a six-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a school bus Tuesday afternoon.
It comes one week after a two-year old child was killed, allegedly at the hands of his mother, prosecutors said.
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Wednesday's deadly accident happened off Harlem Road in the Prestwick neighborhood.
As the investigation continues, the community struggles to make sense of the school bus accident, that claimed the life of a six-year-old girl.
"We know the family so our first and foremost thoughts go out to the family," Timothy Buhe, the victim's neighbor, said.
Like many in this closeknit community, Buhe is struggling after a school bus accident killed his neighbor's six-year old daughter.
"We knew the family," Buhe said. "We knew the daughter. That was our daughter's bus stop also. She's older now, so very heart wrenching, and we really feel for the family."
The Cook County Medical Examiner said six-year-old Jenna Menias was hit and killed not far from her home in the 500-block of Aberdeen Road in the southwest suburb.
"This happened 90 feet away from my driveway and it's just a tragic event and all the neighbors just feel terrible I'm sure the community feels terrible also," Buhe said.
Officers said they found the child unresponsive with serious injuries.
Investigators said witnesses and first responders immediately administered CPR before the young girl was taken to the hospital where she died.
The tragedy unfolded in front of others students who were on board the bus at the time.
In a letter dated Wednesday to district families and staff, Frankfort School District 157-C wrote in part, "It is with profound sadness that we share that our school community has experienced an unimaginable loss. Tragically the bus accident that occurred yesterday has resulted in the passing of one of our grand prairie elementary students... our schools are open today... we have made additional resources available throughout the district, including social workers psychologists and other train support staff... available as needed to provide individual support and to assist students and staff who may be struggling with grief, anxiety, or other emotions related to the tragedy."
Wednesday morning, Frankfort police confirmed the tragedy involved one child and one school bus.
Meanwhile, a community coming together to heal.
"I feel terrible for the parents and the surrounding neighbors here. Just count your blessings every day for your family and friends and say prayers for everyone," Buhe
District leaders say their office and the Lincoln-Way Transportation are helping Frankfort police and the Will County Sheriff's Office with the investigation.
So far, no charges have been announced.
