Kiryas Joel, NY – KJ Girl Dies In School Bus Accident

Kiryas Joel, NY – A 6 year old Kiryas Joel girl died this afternoon after being struck by a school bus in the village.

Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police said that the accident took place this morning at about 11:30 AM on Acres Road.

The girl who has been identified as Leah Mezzi, had just gotten off the school bus and was crossing in front of the bus when the accident occurred. According to Kiryas Joel public safety director Moses Vitriol, the girl’s parents were away and she was staying with friends for the weekend.

The driver, also a Kiryas Joel resident, stopped the bus immediately after striking the girl.

Hatzolah, the New York State Police, the Kiryas Joel Safety Patrol and crews from the medical examiner’s office all rushed to the scene where the girl was pronounced dead.

Vitriol thanked both the state police and the medical examiner’s office for working quickly so that burial could take place this afternoon in Kiryas Joel.

“They really went out of their way to expedite matters and we appreciate their sensitivity for kavod hames and the community’s needs before Shabbos,” said Vitriol.

Trooper Nevel said that the investigation is ongoing and that no information is available at this time about the driver of the bus.

Investigators said there was a livery cab parked at the intersection and captured the incident on its dash camera. That footage will be used as a part of the investigation, According to WABCTV.

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