Community mourns after 15-year-old Kentucky girl killed in school bus accident

Published 2:35 pm Thursday, September 5, 2024

A 15-year-old girl tragically lost her life following an accident involving a school bus in Clark County on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 3 at the intersection of Iron Works Road and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the crash temporarily closed all northbound lanes for approximately an hour.

Clark County Public Schools addressed the incident on Facebook, calling it a “terrible event” and asking the community for prayers for those involved.

The Clark County Coroner, Neal Oliver, confirmed that McKenna Letcher, 15, was struck by a Clark County school bus while crossing Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

McKenna was a student at George Rogers Clark High School. Superintendent Dustin Howard expressed the profound grief felt by the school community in a letter sent to families and staff. He extended condolences to McKenna’s family and announced that grief counselors and support staff would be available at all district schools to provide emotional support during this difficult time.

“Our Clark County Public Schools family is heartbroken today,” Howard wrote. “Please keep the student’s family, along with the entire school system and community, in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this tragedy.”

Governor Andy Beshear also shared his condolences via social media, saying, “My heart aches for the family and friends of this precious child lost in this tragedy.”