A 19-year-old man from the Covington area is charged with hit-and-run and other violations after passing a school bus that was unloading children Monday afternoon, striking a child with his pickup truck, according to authorities.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office says the bus was stopped with its stop signs extended and red lights flashing at Hector and Montaigne streets in the Tall Timbers subdivision of Mandeville when the truck went past.
"While the pickup was passing the bus, one of the children was hit by the passing truck while attempting to cross in front of the stopped bus to get to her house," said Lt. Suzanne Carboni with the sheriff's office. "Luckily the child sustained only very minor marks on her arm. The bus's stop sign and flashing lights were activated at the time."
Officials say tips that came in after they posted images of the truck on social media led them to 19-year-old Mario Avila.
Deputies arrested Avila on Tuesday and booked him on charges of hit-and-run, reckless operation, overtaking a school bus, and driving while under suspension with prior DWI.
"Thankfully this child was not seriously injured but this could've ended in tragedy," said Sheriff Randy Smith. "When a driver ignores a stopped school bus, they're not just breaking the law - they're risking a child's life. We urge everyone to slow down, pay attention and remember flashing red lights mean stop. No appointment, no destination, is worth a child's safety."
