By rssfeeds-admin 
In a news release Friday, the Montgomery County Department of Police identified the girl as 11-year-old Summer Lim. According to police, an initial investigation revealed that Lim was heading east on Bauer Drive with her bike after leaving Earle B. Wood Middle School on Oct. 9 when the school bus, which had also left the middle school, struck her.
The bus was also traveling on east on Bauer Drive and was turning right onto southbound Russet Road at the time of the crash, officials noted.
First responders found Lim at the back of the school bus. Medics tried to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
No injuries were reported on the bus; however, children were on board. A second bus came to the scene and transferred all the students to a reunification location.
In a letter sent out to families Thursday night, Heidi Slatcoff, the principal of Wood Middle School, addressed the grieving school community.
“After school today, one of our students was involved in an accident and has passed away. I can’t tell you how heartbreaking this is for all of us at Wood Middle,” Slatcoff wrote. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved this child.”
“No parent should ever lose a child, and no community is ever fully prepared for a loss like this,” she continued.
Slatcoff went on to say that school counselors, psychologists and support staff would be available throughout the day on Friday to support students, with students encouraged to access counseling support anytime throughout the day if needed.
Officials said no charges would be filed until the investigation has been completed, while police noted that the investigation may take several weeks or longer to complete. Liliana Lopez, a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools, told DC News Now that the bus driver has been placed on leave pending the police investigation, per standard procedure.
“This is part of the process following this type of incident and does not suggest any conclusive findings,” Lopez said.
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