School bus drivers receive extensive training and instruction in how to operate their large vehicles safely. But one Clark County School District bus driver apparently forgot one of the first lessons he learned: obeying posted traffic signs and markings. And as a result, a teenage girl is in the hospital with severe injuries.

On Thursday afternoon around 3:30pm, a 16-year old girl was walking home from school in North Las Vegas heading to pick up her younger brother at Lincoln Elementary school. She was walking west along Brooks Avenue near and started to cross Berg Street. The teen was protected not only by a marked crosswalk, but also a stop sign.

At that same time, a northbound CCSD bus entered the crosswalk and struck the girl, pushing her into the intersection. The bus ran over the teenager and pinned her underneath the bus for several minutes. When she was finally freed, the 16-year old was rushed to University Medical Center with critical injuries. Authorities say she is now in serious but stable condition, but she faces a lengthy recovery.

The 51-year old bus driver has not yet been charged, but has been suspended from driving CCSD buses until the investigation is complete. North Las Vegas police are still awaiting toxicology results conducted on the driver before pressing charges. They do not believe speed was a factor in the school bus accident.

The probability is high that the victim’s parents will file a personal injury lawsuit against both the bus driver and CCSD. They will be seeking reimbursement for the medical expenses incurred by their daughter’s medical treatment, which will likely run into the tens of thousands of dollars (or higher). The family may also receive damages for emotional distress and loss of companionship.