Elyas Marshall-Rodriguez struck by bus while retrieving ball
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A group of community members and loved ones came together on Wednesday to honor the life of a 9-year-old boy killed after being hit by a school bus.
Trooper said Elyas Marshall-Rodriguez, 9, was killed while retrieving a ball from underneath the bus and was struck by one of the vehicle’s tires.
The group was seen holding handles and writing messages at the scene of the crash.
The boy’s cousin, Trenae Gayle said Elyas was a cancer survivor after being diagnosed with Leukemia at just age 2.
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“He was a very bubbly person. He was very compassionate. He loved being around people. He loved being outside,” Gayle said. “He was well known in the area. A lot of parents loved him, allowed him to come over. Spent the weekends, nights with them and also played little league towards the Avalon area.”
Neither the Florida Highway Patrol and Orange County Public Schools have signaled wrongdoing on behalf of the 54-year-old bus driver. Troopers added that their investigation is ongoing.
OCPS provided grief counselors at Lawton Chiles Elementary and Waterford Lakes Elementary on Wednesday.
The family has set up a memorial fund located here if you’d like to donate.
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About the Author:
Troy Campbell
Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.
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