ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A group of community members and loved ones came together on Wednesday to honor the life of a 9-year-old boy killed after being hit by a school bus.
Elyas Marshall-Rodriguez, 9, was killed while crawling underneath the bus and being struck by one of the vehicle’s tires, according to troopers.
The group was seen holding handles and writing messages at the scene of the crash.
The boy’s cousin, Trenae Gayle, said Elyas was a cancer survivor after being diagnosed with Leukemia at just age 2.
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“He was a very bubbly person. He was very compassionate. He loved being around people. He loved being outside,” Gayle said. “He was well known in the area. A lot of parents loved him, allowed him to come over. Spent the weekends, nights with them and also played little league towards the Avalon area.”
Neither the Florida Highway Patrol and Orange County Public Schools have signaled wrongdoing on behalf of the 54-year-old bus driver. Troopers added that their investigation is ongoing.
OCPS provided grief counselors at Lawton Chiles Elementary and Waterford Lakes Elementary on Wednesday.
The family has set up a memorial fund located here if you’d like to donate.
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