Vehicle hits 3 siblings waiting for bus in Butler County; 1 dies

A vehicle struck three children Monday, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring his two siblings as they waited for a school bus near their home in rural Butler County.

The siblings, of Summit Township, were standing near an intersection at Pine Drive and Geibel Road when they were struck shortly before 9 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ronald Kesten said.

Mark Fike, 11, was killed in the accident, Post-Gazette news partner KDKA-TV reported. His siblings, Lyssa, 9, and Ryan, 6, were injured.

State police identified the driver as 38-year-old Gina Kibbie. The Butler Area School District website lists Ms. Kibbie as a faculty member at Summit Elementary School.

Trooper Kesten said no charges had been filed and that the investigation was ongoing.

The vehicle appears to have stopped at a stop sign before turning right and striking the children, who were on the right side of the roadway, Trooper Kesten said. The driver said she didn’t see them and remained at the scene afterward, he said.

“We don’t have any evidence that the vehicle did not stop at the

stop sign,” Trooper Kesten said.

Police said the sun’s glare may have impaired the driver’s vision. “At that time of day the sun could have played a part,” Trooper Kesten said

Two of the children were flown by medical helicopter to hospitals, while the other was taken by a private vehicle for care, Trooper Kesten said. The first trooper at the scene began to perform emergency first aid for at least one of the youths, he said.

Brian J. White, the Butler Area School District superintendent, said he was at a loss for words. He extended “our deepest sympathy to the student’s family and friends.”

“We have made and will continue to make extra counselors available for any students and staff members who are in need of grief support,” Mr. White said in a statement. “The way our school community pulls together to support one another in the face of an incredibly difficult situation never fails to amaze me.”

The Butler Area school board also canceled its meeting Monday as a result of the incident.