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via CAAI News Media
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A Liberty Township family is mourning the loss of a 15-year old girl who was hit and run over by a school bus outside of her aunt's home early Monday morning.
Sodany April Phann, a sophomore at Lakota East High School, was struck in the 4800 block of Long Drive around 6:15 a.m. Her aunt's home is where she often caught the bus, according to police.
Lakota school transportation officials say a Petermann school bus on a route to pick up special needs students was curving around the cul-de-sac in front of the teenager's aunt's house when she was hit. Investigators say Phann was crossing the street to go to her bus stop to wait for a different bus.
Friends and family gathered outside her home all day Monday, just feet from where she died, to sing happy birthday and light candles on a cake. Thursday, April 1, would have been Phann's 16th birthday.
Relatives say the honor roll student never asked for much. For her birthday she just wanted to go to a Justin Beiber concert in June. On Sunday night, her mother told her she wanted to take her to Cambodia to visit relatives for her birthday.
Investigators with the Butler County Sheriff's Office say the school bus driver, June Henry, was going between 3 and 5 mph when she struck Phann. They say she did not see Phann because it was dark.
"We don't know if she was running out to catch the bus, if she stepped out in front of the bus," said Lt. Lance Bunnell. "Unfortunately, the way the area sits and with the dark visibility the bus driver didn't see her and we don't have a good witness saying exactly what the victim did as far as her actions," he said.
A sidewalk memorial for Phann started growing within an hour of police clearing the accident scene. By noon, it included candles and incense from their native Cambodia, along with flowers and a teddy bear; all protected by umbrellas and towels.
"Why? She's just walking to her school bus. How come the bus driver didn't see her? It makes no sense," one of Phann's uncles said.
Another of her uncles says he saw it happen and knocked on the bus to tell the driver what had happened.
Lakota Schools say they are working closely with police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Petermann to investigate the deadly accident. Transportation officials say the driver has worked for them for more than 20 years and her record is spotless. She will be on paid administrative leave during the investigation which is expected to take a few days.
A Petermann spokesman says the driver is terribly distraught over the death.
Investigators will take their findings to the county prosecutor who will decide if charges will be filed.
Family Of School Bus Crash Victim Sets Up Memorial
Family and friends write messages for Sodany April Phann.
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