15-year-old high school student killed after being hit by school bus

CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) – A community in Kentucky is in mourning after a high school student was hit and killed by a school bus.

McKenna Letcher was a 15-year-old freshman at George Rogers Clark High School.

The Clark County coroner said she was crossing Veterans Memorial Parkway Tuesday morning when she was hit by a bus.

Authorities said there were several children on the bus at the time of the accident.

Following the teen’s tragic death, community members gathered at George Rogers Clark High School to pray on the school grounds for all those who are suffering.

When mother Jess Toews found out, she said her first thought was to call her loved ones.

“I know a lot of people who run in that area. I actually live on that side of town,” he said.

With two sons attending George Rogers Clark High School, his focus turned to how he could help a community in need of comfort.

“There’s a verse in the Bible that says, ‘Do not love with words and speeches alone, but with actions and truth,’” Toews said.

She sent out a Facebook post asking people to join her in prayer at the high school.

They did so by the dozens, with some putting anointing oil on the building while others spread their blessings verbally.

Craig Mayer brought his group of teenagers from Calvary Christian Church to worship as some of them mourned the sudden loss of their classmate.

“She was just starting her life, just experiencing the joys of life, so it’s a very sad situation,” Mayer said.

The community said it hopes meetings like these will allow God’s light to shine on all those affected at the school.

“It really warms my heart that so many people in such a short period of time can come together in a situation like this,” Mayer said.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

School officials said the bus driver has been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is concluded.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover Letcher’s funeral expenses.

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