Ruled an accident: Medical Examiner says child struck by bus was autistic

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has released its report on an incident in which a six-year-old child was struck and killed by a school bus on Wednesday afternoon, May 21st.

According to the Medical Examiner's Office, the six-year-old child was "severely autistic." He was a student at Longfellow School.

The Medical Examiner's report says the child ran from his home, unbeknownst to his adult caregivers, entered a crosswalk against a red light, and was struck by the school bus.

It happened near South Cesar Chavez and West Mineral Street -- just before 4:00 p.m.

The Medical Examiner's report identifies the child as Raul Espinosa. The boy's mother tells FOX6 News he was the youngest of four children. His mother says he was a joyful boy, who loved people.

The report indicates the child ran out of his home while his mother was in the shower. 

He apparently ran east from his home to the corner of Cesar Chavez and Mineral -- and ran out into the crosswalk going east. He was then struck by the bus that had been stopped on South Cesar Chavez at a red light.

The report indicates the bus driver had been traveling southbound.

The light apparently turned green just as the child walked into the intersection -- and the bus driver did not see the child -- according to the report.

The report says the driver of a van that was headed northbound on Cesar Chavez began honking his horn to warn the bus driver.

The report says the bus traveled 140 feet past the intersection -- and then stopped, because of horns honking and people signaling the driver to stop. The report says the driver was otherwise unaware she had struck the child.

The Medical Examiner's report says the cause of death is multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death has been ruled an accident.

The 24-year-old woman who was driving the school bus is cooperating with the investigation.

Police said on Thursday, May 22nd, there were two children on the bus at the time of this incident.

They were not injured.

Milwaukee police said on Thursday, May 22nd their investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Police says as with all fatal crashes, the investigation will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office once complete.

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