A school bus incident on Wednesday morning claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl in Kansas. Harmoney Harper and her older brother were waiting for their bus outside their home when a Derby Public School bus, not the one they were expecting, hit Harmoney.
According to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. when Harmoney walked between two cars. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jasper Harper, Harmoney’s father, believes that speed might have contributed to the fatal accident, which happened in the 3300 block of East Locust, near 47th Street South and Kansas Highway 15.
Harper wants his daughter to be remembered for her love of life and school. “She was very happy all the time, she loved school, she loved everyone, she loved life, she was wonderful,” said Harper.
Derby superintendent Heather Bohaty expressed her condolences, assuring that additional social workers will be available to support students and staff throughout the district.
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to help the Harper family with funeral arrangements. As of Thursday, the school bus driver has not been charged, but the investigation is ongoing.