13-year-old student hit by tractor-trailer faces long recovery as community steps in with support
On Tuesday, a middle school student in the Gray-New Gloucester school district was hit by a tractor-trailer.
Officials say 13-year-old Nathanial was getting off the bus and crossing Lewiston Road in Gray at his usual stop when he was hit.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce says the semi truck was coming up behind the stopped bus, which had the flashing stoplights and stop sign arm activated.
Investigators at the scene afterward were seen measuring the tire marks on the road where the truck driver appears to have applied the brakes. Experts with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are working to reconstruct the incident.
There were 17 students on board, who were middle and high school-aged.
Nathanial was taken to a hospital where he had surgery for his injuries on Wednesday.
"It'll be a long recovery, we imagine," Superintendent Craig King told WMTW.
The school's principal, Richard Riley-Benoit, said he spoke with the boy's family, who say they expect him to fully recover.
"As the student was crossing the street, the other vehicle came along and just drove right through the stopped bus and hit the student," Craig said.
Craig added the school will be bringing in extra support of those who need it: "Today at school, we've had extra counselors and social workers available to speak to students and staff that might need help trying to process what happened."
To aid Nathaniel, a GoFundMe has been set up and has raised nearly $12,000 to go toward his medical expenses.
The outpouring of love continues at D&R Dairy Bar, where a box has been set up to collect gift cards to send to the boy and his family.
"I've heard he had foot surgery, so he can just sit at home and order things for himself and make the weeks go by better," owner Dawn Murray said.
Murray says she worried about her daughters when they road the school bus: "As a parent, it's always running through your mind — is my kid going to get off the bus safe?"
Craig says there are more than 1,800 kids who ride the bus in his district. He adds drivers should be cautious, adding speed limits mean something.
Those who wish to send cards or notes of encouragement for Nathanial and his family can drop them off at Gray-New Gloucester Middle School principal's office.