Nationwide — A 12-year-old African American girl from Haverhill, Massachusetts, sadly passed away after a motorized scooter she was riding with another child crashed into a school bus. Both children were rushed to hospitals, but the girl later died from her injuries.
The collision happened around 4 p.m. on June 25 at the intersection of Portland Street and 5th Avenue. Authorities said two girls were sharing a motorized scooter when they moved into the path of a school bus, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.
Emergency crews arrived shortly after the crash and found both children injured. Paramedics transported them to nearby hospitals while police secured the intersection and began their initial investigation.
Witnesses described a fast and sudden impact. One bystander said the scooter appeared to wobble right before the collision, while another child at the scene recalled seeing the girls moving quickly moments before they struck the bus.
Officials later confirmed that the 12-year-old girl died at the hospital. The second child survived the crash and has since been released, according to People.
Multiple agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police, Haverhill Police, and the state medical examiner’s office, are still investigating what led to the crash and how it unfolded.
Haverhill Public Schools said the community is mourning the loss. The district also set up grief counseling services at J.G. Whittier Middle School for students, staff, and families affected by the incident.
Officials have also raised concerns about the safety of motorized scooters, especially for younger riders who may lack experience navigating traffic and road conditions.