Student hit by car on the way to school

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Byron Middle School student is recovering at the Medical Center of Central Georgia after she was hit by a car on her way to school.

The incident happened Tuesday around 6:30 a.m., at the intersection of Main Street and Peach Parkway.

Byron police are working to find out what happened when the 12-year-old girl was hit by a car driven by Vicky McDonald of Ft. Valley.

Byron police and Houston County Sheriff’s deputies are using surveying equipment to pin point all of the evidence.

“Everybody wants to know who’s fault it is, and if there is fault whether or not we can go forward with criminal prosecution,” said Byron Police Lt. Bryan Hunter. “If there’s someone at fault that we can prosecute criminally then that’s what we want to do.”

According to police, the sixth grader was walking to school with three other students, the other students made it across the street safely.

“She was not in the crosswalk and ran out in front of a car,” said Lt. Hunter.

Dr. Jeff Bell is the principal of Byron Middle school. He says a few of the girl’s classmates were shook up after hearing about the accident and met with the school’s counselor.

“We have about 420 students here at Byron Middle School,” said Dr. Bell. “As a principal and father, we take safety and the welfare of our children seriously. It really hits close to home when one of ours is involved in an accident like this.”

Bell says even he and his faculty were shaken, when they heard about the accident.

“It’s disturbing, she’s a sixth grade student here and a favorite of our students,” he said. “Our prayers go out to her family and for her quick recovery.”

Lt. Hunter says parents should be mindful when sending their children to school.

“In the morning when it’s still dark, it’s not a good idea for them to walk to school,” said Hunter. “The school buses run, and we understand kids miss the bus from time to time but they at least need to wear bright clothing that is visible in the dark.”