Metro seeking public’s help for details about bus accident that killed girl

By Aida Ahmed

Saturday, March 17, 2012 | 11:04 a.m.

Metro Police are asking people who may have witnessed the fatal school bus accident that killed an 11-year-old girl to come forward.

Police believe parents who were picking up their children at the time of the accident may have left the scene before police arrived.

The fatal accident happened about 3:53 p.m. near Ann Road east of Pebble Rock Drive.

According to police, Leslie Rice was driving a 2003 Thomas school bus and made a right turn onto Pebble Rock Drive when, for unknown reasons, the child fell under the bus and was run over.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the accident happened at a time when buses were off-loading students and parents were picking up their children.

"We are committed to keeping the public informed as more details become available about this tragic accident," said Amanda Fulkerson, a Clark County School District spokeswoman, in a statement. "Our crisis response team is at the scene and will be working with the three children who were riding the bus at the time of the incident. Neither the three students on the bus nor the driver sustained any injuries."

Fulkerson said a letter would be sent home Monday with students "at the appropriate school" to keep parents informed of the situation. She did not identify the school.

“We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family," Fulkerson added.

The accident is still under investigation and police are asking witnesses to contact Detective William Redfairn at 828-3128 for any information.

This is the 27th fatal traffic collision in LVMPD’s jurisdiction this year.