Officials: 3 Rogers H.S. Students Struck By Truck At School Bus Stop

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Three Rogers High School students are recovering after they were hit by a pickup truck while trying to get to their school bus.

The accident happened shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday in Otsego. Greta Jenson, Beckett Olson and Ian Orina -- all 15 years old -- were crossing the street to get on their bus when they were hit. All three are at Hennepin County Medical Center. Jenson and Olson are in critical condition, and Orina is in serious condition, according to a hospital official.

"They always come down here every morning and come back at the end of the day, of course," Drew Nelson said.

Nelson says he was shocked to hear sirens and see flashing lights so close to his home, so early in the morning. He quickly learned, three Rogers High School students who live in his neighborhood where hit while trying to board their school bus.

"It's a fairly quiet street," he said. "There's not a whole lot of traffic. People are just going to work in the morning, so there is really not a whole lot of obstruction, either. It's good visibility."

According to police, the bus pulled up to the intersection of 78th Avenue Northeast and Parrish Avenue Northeast in Otsego. The bus had its stop arm out and when the students attempted to cross the road to get on the bus, they were hit by a pick-up truck.

"You'd think the kids crossing a full lane that there is not a lot of whole blind activity you know that they are just going to pop out of the school bus because the country side is right over there," said Nelson.

The 22-year-old driver of the truck that hit the students is from Lexington, Minnesota. He was arrested and booked into the Wright County jail on criminal vehicular operation charges.

"A lot of questioning and speculation about what happened, so it's kind of a different than a normal day," Rogers High School senior Anne Domanus said.

Students and staff at Rogers High School spent most of the day searching for answers. Counselors were on hand to offer support.

"Everyone is kind of shocked about what happened and no one really knows for sure what's going on," Domanus said.

An entire community has wrapped it's arms around the students, especially the three who are fighting for their lives.

"We are hoping for the best," Nelson said.

The Wright County Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident.

The Elk River School District released a statement on Twitter.

Evening activities went on as usual at Rogers High School, but freshman Cole Sanders said the day felt anything but normal.

"It was kind of weird because everyone else kind of knew about [the crash], and everyone's just trying to do school and at the same time think about this," he said. "It's just kind of weird."

His mind, like that of many other students, was on his classmates who investigators say were hit by a pick-up truck as they crossed the street to board a school bus in Otsego this morning.

"This is something that didn't have to happen," said Scott Fraiser. He's the stepfather of Greta Jenson, one of the three students who got hit.

"My (step) daughter was thrown about 40 feet and one of the boys, what they estimated about 100 feet," he said.

Investigators said the school bus stop arm was out when the pick-up driver went by. Fraiser says his stepson who was also waiting for the bus just missed getting hit.

"He didn't mention nothing about brakes, nothing about swerving, he had mentioned to me it was going really fast," Fraiser said. He feels the situation appears to be an accident but he hopes it reminds drivers to pay better attention.

Meanwhile, other parents say it's a wake-up call for everyone.

"You know even as adults it's like we all have to be reminded to kind of be aware of your surroundings and just be mindful that things can happen very easily," said parent Kim Sanders.

A school district spokesperson said the high school it will have support services for staff and students Friday and for as long as necessary into next week.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the families of the students. To make a donation, click here.