Zeeshan Akhtar didn't stop for school bus

**thatsmallgrl** · April 22nd, 2009, 11:46 AM

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- An eighth grader is in the hospital in critical condition after he was hit by a minivan after getting off the school bus in New Hartford Monday.

Police say 14-year-old Jared Chontow was crossing the street on Oxford Road when an oncoming vehicle passed the school buses warning lights and hit him. Chontow has numerous injuries, including head trauma. He is being treated at University Hospital in Syracuse.

Investigators say Zeeshan Akhtar, 16, was behind the wheel of the minivan. He's only had his junior operator’s license for one week and did not have his headlights on despite the rainy weather.

Akhtar was issued a couple of traffic tickets for those violations, however, the crash is still under investigation and additional charges may be filed.

http://news10now.com/content/all_new...s/Default.aspx

**MadmamainNC** · April 22nd, 2009, 12:05 PM

I know a lot of times the routes make it impossible to stop on the correct side of the road for all children, but what bothers the fuck out of me is little kids getting off the bus, crossing the street and no parents there to meet them. I'm talking kindergartners and elementary school kids. I get so scared for them.

I hope the kid recovers fully. Very tragic for all involved.

Another thing, many states don't offer drivers Ed through the schools and it's not a requirement. In PA when I lived there, it wasn't required and the parents could teach the kids. They did offer Drivers Ed through a private entity but would be an expense some parents monetarily couldn't afford. So much is missed when teaching the kids yourself.
Don't know about the rules in NY but it seems to me this kid didn't know the rules of buses.

**El Supremo** · April 22nd, 2009, 12:08 PM

Jesus Motherhumping Christ.

If there is one thing that I take absolutely, immutably seriously, it's stopping for school buses when they put their little "stop" signs out. A very close second is driving with my headlights on ALL THE TIME.

I hope this poor kid (Jared) makes it and heals completely, although it doesn't seem likely. :(

Brand new driver, 16 years old. He's really not off to a good start here.

**seductress** · April 22nd, 2009, 12:09 PM

under 18 in Wisconsin needs drivers ed, over 18 needs to just take the 2 tests

I have a bus on my way to work every morning. I have now learned which houses it stops at so when I see the bus coming in the icy weather, I slow down way ahead of time. I do also think that bus drivers on rural routes need to sometimes let traffic go before letting the kids off the bus

**goddess** · April 22nd, 2009, 12:10 PM

I see it all the time lil kids walking home alone..i would never let my kids would never walk home alone..

**thatsmallgrl** · April 22nd, 2009, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by MadmamainNC

Don't know about the rules in NY but it seems to me this kid didn't know the rules of buses.

Here in New York you have to take the 5 hour driving course before you can get your license. They also changed it to where you can't have your full-fledged license until you turn 18. With the junior license as this kid has (or shortly had) you can't drive with others in the car except adults and you can't drive past 9pm, unless you are working.