‘Our hearts are broken’ after 5-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus, school official says - The Boston Globe (2025)

He was struck after getting off the bus Monday afternoon, coming home from Up Academy in Dorchester.

An official from the school said community members are heartbroken over his death.

The boy, who attended UP Academy Dorchester, was on his way home from school and had just gotten off the bus when he was hit around 2:45 p.m., authorities said.

“Our hearts are broken for the family and words can’t express how much this loss will mean to our community,” Hillary Casson, chief executive of UP Education Network, said in a statement.

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UP Academy Dorchester teaches about 640 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade, according to the UP Education Network’s website. Students up to sixth grade attend nearby UP Academy Holland, also in Dorchester.

Both are part of the Boston Public Schools, said Selina Ruiz, director of operations at the Holland campus.

Members of the boy’s family met with two faith leaders from Catholic Parishes of the Blue Hills on Tuesday morning, said media director John Morton.

“They provided spiritual comfort to the family,” Morton said.

He said members of the area’s Haitian community also sought spiritual support from Rev. Joseph Mazzone and Rev. Charles Madi-Okin, alongside family members in Hyde Park.

Police on Tuesday said the boy was taken to Boston Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officials have not released any information about the bus driver, who remained at a wrenching scene on Washington Street.

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On Tuesday, half a dozen flower arrangements sat on the corner of Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue, where the crash occurred.

Chrislaine Pierre-Charles, 68, has lived at her house on Washington Street in Hyde Park for 31 years. She said she was in her kitchen Monday afternoon when she heard a girl screaming outside.

She came out to see a young boy on the ground.

“Everyone, my neighbor, ran outside . . . I was in shock, we all were in shock.”

She said cars are always speeding down Washington Street, and that residents are watchful when exiting their cars. She said her parked car got hit about two years ago.

Pierre-Charles, who said she watches the school bus drop-off out her window each day, recalled that the boy and girl got off the bus on Washington Street on Monday, although they were usually dropped off on Glenwood Avenue, she said.

“He was a skinny little boy,” Pierre-Charles said, closing her eyes.

‘Our hearts are broken’ after 5-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus, school official says - The Boston Globe (1)

Boston police Commissioner Michael Cox told reporters Monday that the crash happened “very close to home.” The school system’s superintendent, Mary Skipper, said “we are grieving this heartbreaking loss.”

Police investigators remained at the scene until long after dark. Yellow crime scene tape was stretched around the bus, which was towed away at about 6:45 p.m.

Law enforcement officials said the investigation will take time.

“We are at the beginning of the investigation, a fairly serious investigation,” Cox said Monday. “It’s a tragedy and it will be ongoing for a little while.”

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‘Our hearts are broken’ after 5-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus, school official says - The Boston Globe (2)

Casson said staff at the school will work to take care of community members affected by the boy’s death.

“We will do everything we can to support the family as well as the students, families and staff in our school community,” she said.

Material from previous Globe stories was included in this report.

Claire Thornton can be reached at claire.thornton@globe.com. Follow Claire on X @claire_thornto. Sarah Mesdjian can be reached at sarah.mesdjian@globe.com. Follow her on X @sarahs_journal. Rita Chandler can be reached at rita.chandler@globe.com.

‘Our hearts are broken’ after 5-year-old boy fatally struck by school bus, school official says - The Boston Globe (2025)
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