Driver arrested after passing stopped school bus, child suffers minor injuries

COVINGTON, La. (WGNO) — A Covington man is in police custody facing a charge of reckless operation after reportedly hitting a child exiting a school bus on Monday, Aug. 25.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies reported that a school bus was stopped at the corner of Hector and Montaigne streets in the Tall Timbers Subdivision, when a pick-up truck drove past it.

Deputies said although the stop sign was out with flashing lights, a child was struck as she attempted to cross in front toward her house. She suffered “very minor marks on her arm.”

Through social media, deputies identified the driver as 19-year-old Mario Avila. He was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on charges of:

• Hit and run
• Reckless operation
• Driving under suspension with prior DWI
• Overtaking a school bus

“Thankfully this child was not seriously injured but this could’ve ended in tragedy,” Sheriff Smith said. “When a driver ignores a stopped school bus, they’re not just breaking the law – they’re risking a child’s life. We urge everyone to slow down, pay attention and remember flashing red lights mean stop. No appointment, no destination, is worth a child’s safety.”

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