KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) – Kaukauna police say the boy struck and killed by a school bus last Tuesday did nothing wrong and had the right-of-way.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, police released more information about the tragedy which has darkened the start of the school year city-wide.
“As Justin got to the intersection, a school bus driven by Anthony Ritacco turned east onto East Second Street from Crooks Avenue striking Justin with the school bus,” says Lt. Jamie Graff, Kaukauna Police Department investigator. “We have decided, at this time, to wait until Mr. Ritacco’s toxicology reports come back from the State Crime Lab before we decide what, if any, charges will be filed.”
Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider has been consulted about this incident. Those toxicology reports could take weeks to come back.
Justin Johnson, 12, was walking home from River View Middle School in the afternoon on September 6th when police say he got ahead of some friends still on the sidewalk. Johnson was in the middle of the intersection when the southbound bus driven by the 61-year-old Ritacco turned right into the boy.
“He (Ritacco) wanted to make sure the oncoming traffic was clear for him to turn,” describes Graff. “He remembers taking a look into the crosswalk, taking a look to his, which would be his left. He remembers seeing a group of kids on the sidewalk, but didn’t see anybody in the crosswalk.”
At first, Graff said Ritacco wasn’t sure what happened and he stopped the bus. Ritacco, “heard a thump and he didn’t know what that was. He thought maybe it was his antenna up above, but he wasn’t quite sure.”
Police said Ritacco has been employed by Kobussen Buses for the past 3 years, has 30 years of school bus driving experience and a clean driving record. Graff described Ritacco as “devastated” by what happened.
“At this point, we’re not seeing anything by Mr. Ritacco that was reckless,” says Graff. “He didn’t have any criminal intent, it wasn’t premeditated.”
In a statement released Wednesday, Kobussen Buses said:
“The accident that took place on 09/06/16 was a tragic accident, our hearts go out to the family of the student.
In the 78-year history of Kobussen bus we have not had a tragic accident like this one.
We have received a great deal of pubic and school district support for our bus drivers.
We will continue working with school bus drivers, the city and the school district to maximize safety.
We work every day at safety and hope that an incident like this never happens again.”
CALLS FOR CHANGE
In the wake of Johnson’s death, calls have gotten much louder for changes to ensure more safety for traffic and children in the area around River View Middle School.
“The citizens of Kaukauna, the business owners, the school district, the city, we’ve all been working together to come up with an alternative route and some safety precautions,” says Graff.
Those precautions, issued Wednesday by the Kaukauna Area School District, include:
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The Police Department has filled a crossing guard position located at the intersection of Crooks Avenue and 2nd Street. This position, which began today, will be stationed at the intersection from 7:20 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and again from 3:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. This will be a temporary position, which will extend one to two weeks beyond the Island Street Bridge renovation completion date.
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The Engineering Department and Police Department have reprogrammed the traffic signal controller at the Crooks Avenue and 2nd Street intersection to allow for a “dedicated left turn arrow for southbound Crooks Avenue traffic during the peak a.m. and p.m. periods.”
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Speed bumps and two “15 MPH” speed limit signs have been installed on the 1st Street Alley.
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The Police Department will maintain police presence and will continue to direct traffic as needed at the Island Street and Dodge Street intersection through November 1.
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For safety reasons, the “circular” traffic flow through the River View parking lot using Maple Street as the entrance and exit will be maintained through November 1. However, during this time the District has positioned a staff member near the South-East corner of the lot before school from 7:15 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. and another staff member after school from 3:10 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to assist students, who enter/exit the lot before/after crossing the bridge between Hydro Park and River View Middle School.
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The River View Cross Country Team is meeting on the tennis courts rather than on the grass by the entry into the RV Parking Lot from Maple Street. The coaches have also adjusted running routes to avoid high volume traffic areas.
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Mayor Gene Rosin received communication from Expera Mill Manager Lee Hammen that the Local 20 and Expera will be adjusting work schedules for their maintenance crew until the Island Street Bridge is open to help alleviate some traffic.
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We want to encourage everyone to review the alternate drop-off areas and safe routes from the past communications we have sent; these include the Former Library Parking Lot, the City Parking Lot at Main Avenue and 2nd Street, the Hydro Parking Lot, and the Bayorgeon Parking Lot.
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Those traveling south west of Crooks Avenue should utilize the tunnel and pedestrian bridge, and those traveling south east of Crooks Avenue should utilize the Crooks Avenue and 2nd Street intersection where the crossing guard has been added.
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During the District’s second annual School Safety Week next week, Elementary and Middle School students will be watching a brief traffic safety video in addition to participating in safety drills.
“We’ve been monitoring that intersection, we’re noticing a lot of unsafe behaviors from kids crossing that intersection so we’ll have an adult out there,” Graff says.
Graff indicates that officials spent several months working on plans to deal with the hectic traffic problem for the first day of school, especially given the closure of the Island Street Bridge. Work is being done to replace the deck and sidewalks on the bridge.
“This first day was very problematic because of the bridge being down,” says Graff. “The whole area was a concern and, you know, we have only so many crossing guards that we’re given. We try to locate them to best help the students cross.”
When asked about when the bridge would re-open, Graff believed November but hoped it would be sooner than that.
COMMUNITY HEALING
A memorial has continued to grow along Second Street right at the corner where Johnson’s life ended too early. What will happen with that memorial remains unclear.
“We’re talking about maybe moving it to a different location nearby,” Graff says. “The family is still figuring out how to deal with that.”
Graff and the police department relayed the appreciation and gratitude the boy’s family has for not just Kaukauna, but other communities in the Fox Cities that has given them support, said prayers and helped through this difficult time.
“Justin was a loving brother, son, grandson, friend and classmate who will be missed and never forgotten,” says Graff, who knew the family personally for several years. “If you knew Justin, you know he had an addicting smile and a kind hearted personality.”
Everyone involved that day, from the officers and first responders to the students on scene and people who just stopped to help Justin Johnson at the time of the crash have been offered counseling.
In an email received Wednesday, Kaukauna Area School District Superintendent Mark Duerwaechter said:
“I am pleased to report that we will continue to support and to monitor the needs of the family as well as our students and staff. The healing process has begun and our classrooms have returned to a normal learning climate.”
A fundraiser for Justin’s family was held at last Friday night’s Kaukauna High School football game. There is also a memorial fund in Justin Johnson’s name set up at Unison Credit Union.
