BENTONVILLE — A bus driver looked away from the road prior to hitting a Bentonville High School student last week, according to a Bentonville School District report.
The report states driver Lisa Fitzner looked in her rear-view mirror to speak to a student while approaching the intersection of Southeast 14th and Southeast P streets. The report also states once Fitzner returned her attention to the roadway, traffic heading west had stopped. She then noted pedestrian Megan Davis.
Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson confirmed Davis’ identity Wednesday.
Davis, 17, was knocked 30 feet on impact, according to the report. Davis was taken to Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville for head trauma and possible broken bones. She later was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., where she remains in the intensive care unit, said Mary Ley, school district communications officer.
Substance test results show Fitzner didn’t have any drugs or alcohol in her system, Ley said. It’s state policy drivers of public vehicles must be tested for substances following an accident where an injury occurred.
A Zonar Systems report also recorded the speed of Fitzner’s bus, Ley said. The bus was traveling at 47.2 mph in a 45 mph zone 0.9 miles before the accident, Ley said. A Zonar System device is installed on buses in the district. The bus didn’t have a video camera, Ley said.
A Bentonville Police Department news release states Fitzner had a green light and Davis was crossing the street without a signal.
Fitzner said she stopped as quickly as possible following the accident, according to the district report. She then remained on the bus until police and medical personnel arrived.
The district report also states a student on the bus complained of a possible head injury following the accident. She was treated at the scene by medical personnel.
The accident occurred at 4:15 p.m. Thursday. Davis was heading north across 14th Street while the bus was heading east on the same road.
A button used by pedestrians to alert the intersection’s traffic signal that someone is trying to cross 14th Street was broken at the time of the accident. It could not be determined when that occurred. Pedestrians could stick an object, such as a pen, into the pole to make the signal work. As of Tuesday the button has been repaired.
Fitzner, 60, of Bentonville remained on paid administrative leave Wednesday. She was placed on leave immediately following the accident.