CARVER, Plymouth County, Mass., Oct. 9, 2026 — Police in Carver are searching for a pickup truck driver accused of hitting two teenagers waiting at a school bus stop on Thursday morning, October 8. Both victims were taken to area hospitals, and the vehicle fled the scene.
The crash happened on Forest Street, reportedly around 6 a.m., though detectives were not notified until about 7:20 a.m. when transportation officials reported it. A school bus was approaching the stop with its yellow lights flashing when a passing pickup truck struck the two 16-year-olds with its side mirror, the bus driver told Carver police.
The driver did not stop. Authorities described the vehicle as a dark-colored pickup truck equipped with LED lights, and they are asking anyone who saw it or was in the Forest Street area around 6 a.m. to come forward.
Family members separately drove the two students, both enrolled at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, to area hospitals. At least one of them has since been released. The extent of the other student's injuries has not been released.
Old Colony Superintendent-Director Aaron Polansky said in a statement shared by Carver police that the school is keeping both students and their families in its thoughts and hopes for their full recovery. He encouraged community members to help investigators identify the driver.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Where School Bus Stop Crashes Tend to Happen
Crashes involving pedestrians at bus stops usually cluster on roads that lack sidewalks, crosswalks, or dedicated pull-off areas for buses. Rural and suburban routes like these force kids to wait at the edge of a travel lane, with only painted lines or a bus's flashing lights to warn oncoming traffic. Drivers who are speeding, distracted, or unfamiliar with a stop's timing have little room to react.
Two-lane roads without a median are a particular problem. A driver heading the opposite direction from a stopped school bus may not realize students are crossing or standing near the roadway, especially in low morning light. Curves, hills, or parked vehicles can block sightlines even further, cutting down the seconds a driver has to notice someone at the roadside.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those crashes happened at or near intersections and roadside stops, places where vehicles and pedestrians share space with no physical barrier between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most pedestrian crashes happen?
Most occur at or near intersections, crosswalks, and roadside stops where vehicles and pedestrians cross paths without a barrier separating them. Roads without sidewalks or marked crossings see higher rates.
Are pedestrian crashes more common after dark?
Yes. Reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians in time to stop, and a large share of pedestrian deaths nationally occur in low-light conditions, including early morning hours before sunrise.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a vehicle?
Call 911 immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Try to note details about the vehicle, such as color, type, and any visible markings, and get checked by a medical provider since some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk or bus stop?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way at marked crosswalks and at school bus stops when a bus displays flashing lights or a stop sign, though drivers are legally required to yield regardless of markings in many situations.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Carver, MA
If you or someone you know is involved in a pedestrian crash near a bus stop or roadway in Carver, call 911 right away and stay at the scene if it's safe to do so. Even injuries that seem minor at first, like soreness or a mild headache, should be checked by a doctor, since some symptoms take hours or days to appear.
Try to write down what you remember as soon as possible: the time, the direction vehicles were traveling, and any details about the vehicle involved. If there were witnesses, their accounts can help investigators. Follow up with your doctor and keep records of any medical visits, as these can matter later for insurance or documentation purposes.
