UPDATE: School bus hits young pedestrian

• Accident scene - facing west

Debbie Griffin photos
• Accident scene - facing east

Accident scene - facing east

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A Facebook post created Sunday night by pastor of St. Bridget Catholic Church, Rev. Gerald Harris, gives information about the victim of a bus-versus-pedestrian accident that happened late the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 7.

The boy is identified as Jacob Wheeler, a 7th grader at Meyer Middle School. He is at Gillette Children’s Hospital, awake and talking, with injuries to the bones of his lower legs, pelvis and ribs.

Harris’ post, directed to the ‘members of St. Bridget Faith Formation,’ says a full recovery is anticipated and, “We are happy to report that his injuries are not life threatening.”

He said Jacob’s mother and father, Anne and Mike Wheeler, have requested no visitors at the hospital at this time. Cards and other get-well wishes should be sent to the attention of Principal Mark Chapin at Meyer Middle School, 230 Ninth St.

St. Bridget’s will be starting a fund to help the Wheeler family with day-to-day expenses; people are welcome to write a check to the church with “Jacob” in the subject line, to donate gas cards to help with the family’s travel, as well as help with meals. People who can help may either send donations to the church or contact Mary Camber 715-821-8101.

Harris asks: “Please keep Jacob and his family, as well as the bus driver, in your thoughts and prayers."

River Falls police and ambulance personnel responded to call at 4:50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, that a “bus had hit a child” at the intersection of Main Street and Cascade Avenue.

At the scene, several squad cars and River Falls School Bus #168 sat parked on W. Cascade as investigators interviewed witnesses and analyzed the scene. Several RF School District officials were also seen standing by – Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, Director of Academic Services Mike Johnson and Middle School Principal Mark Chapin.

River Police Chief Roger Leque said the victim is believed to be a student at Meyer Middle School and could only confirm that "he" was injured and transported by local ambulance to Regions Hospital.

Leque said local police would be processing the investigation and were not likely to release more information before Monday, Sept. 10.

Tags: river falls, accidents, traffic, news, wisconsin