8-Year-Old Struck, Killed By Semi Near School Bus… Driver Flees The Scene

Joplin, Missouri – According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), 8-year-0ld Destiny Chamber was crossing Newman Road just outside of Joplin, Missouri, around 6:55 a.m. on Thursday morning when she was struck and tragically killed by a semi-truck. The 2017 Freightliner Tractor-Trailer left the scene traveling east. It was driven by 49-year-old Lance Lee from Illinois.

After Lee fled the scene, police pursued and apprehended him on Highway 249. Blood-alcohol testing was administered and the MSHP says it is pursuing charges against the trucker. They have reached out to the Jasper County Attorney’s office to see if they are filing charges according to koamtv.com.

Related: Truck Driver Charged In Connection With Death Of 8-Year-Old Says He Thought He ‘Hit A Deer’

The Joplin School District released the following statement:

At 6:55am, emergency personnel responded to an accident on Newman Road outside of Joplin. It is with extremely heavy hearts we can now share the fatal loss of one of our precious Eagle students. Miss Destiny Chambers was currently enrolled at Soaring Heights Elementary. Staff and students in Joplin Schools remember her huge heart and big smile.

Additional students who were on the bus at the time of the accident were picked up by parents at the scene or transported to school where parents picked them up. Counseling services have been made available to any staff or student needing support and will continue for the coming days. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family.

Sarah Mwangi

Director of Educational Support and Human Resources

A GoFundMe Page has been set up to help the deceased family pay for funeral expenses. Officials with Soaring Heights Elementary say the children on the bus at the time of the accident will have access to counselors for grief and trauma.

UPDATE: The Missouri State Highway Patrol has confirmed an 8-year-old girl has died after being hit by a semi tractor trailer Thursday morning while waiting for a Joplin R-8 School bus. #fatal #KSN16 https://t.co/G6qGFgTcuE

— KSN Local News (@KSNLocalNews) September 27, 2018

Video shared courtesy of koamtv.com. Photo courtesy of MSHP.

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