PULASKI COUNTY, Arkansas — Update: The child has been released from the hospital and is home. He is expected to have another surgery in a couple of months.
One Daisy Bates Elementary School student is in the hospital after being hit by a Pulaski County Special School District bus around 4:00 p.m. on Friday near the 3600 block of West Hensley Road.
According to Lt. Cody Burk with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, the school bus driver thought the road was clear after making a drop-off but didn't realize one of the kids had fallen.
Burk said the back tire of the bus ran over the student and that the accident is currently under investigation.
Edgar, the father of the injured student, said his child had to have a few surgeries at Arkansas Children's Hospital. There was an initial surgery to stop the bleeding and a second for his broken femur.
"They put a plate and some screws there to hold it together for him," said Edgar.
Family members explained that they were at a loss for words, but after spending a little bit over 48 hours in the hospital, his son was able to head home on Sunday afternoon.
"They did tell him that within six, eight months, he'll have to come back for another surgery, but as of now, his healing process can be done at home." said family member, Brittany Worsham.
She also explained how although it's been a difficult few days and there's a long journey ahead, the rambunctious 5-year-old is in good spirits.
"He's just smiling so big and you would never think that he had went through anything as traumatic as he had gone through," said Worsham.
"He got away with minor injuries considering the circumstances. I couldn't ask for anything more than that," Edgar said. "My other two children have had him [the bus driver] for three years. He's a great guy and I really feel sorry for him because I know he's feeling a lot of guilt."
The PCSSD released a statement and said its thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Anyone interested in donating to the GoFundMe for the child can click here.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing, and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available.