‘Joyful’ 6-year-old hit and killed trying to catch school bus, Louisiana cops say
A Louisiana boy died from his injuries after he was struck by a school bus, New Orleans police said.
The 6-year-old was trying to catch the bus just after 8 a.m. Thursday, April 10, when he exited his mother’s car and was hit, according to police and WGNO.
He was taken to a hospital where he died, according to police.
Authorities didn’t release his name but family members identified him as Mason Richards, WDSU reported. He was a student a KIPP Leadership in New Orleans.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a student at KIPP Leadership has tragically passed away following a bus accident,” the school told the station in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the family, and we are offering our full support to them and to our school community during this incredibly difficult time.”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described Mason as a “bright joyful child.”
“As a mother, I cannot begin to imagine the pain Mason’s family is experiencing,” Cantrell said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“We all want the best for our children’s safety, and we will continue to collaborate with school leadership and the community for a safe future for our young people,” the mayor said.
Police haven’t identified the driver and no charges have been filed, a police spokesperson told WWL-TV.
A field sobriety test ruled out impairment as a contributing factor in the crash, authorities said.
Mason’s aunt, Andrea Haynes, is calling for charges against the school bus driver.
“That was an innocent child,” Haynes told WGNO. “My nephew lost his life. My niece will not get her son back at all. I need the city of New Orleans to come together on this. Some of these bus drivers need to be fired.”
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact NOPD Traffic Fatality investigators at 504-658-6205.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM with the headline "‘Joyful’ 6-year-old hit and killed trying to catch school bus, Louisiana cops say."