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People calling for change after 15-year-old hit, killed by school bus in McKeesport

McKEESPORT, Pa. — A memorial continued to grow outside McKeesport Area High School Friday, where a 15-year-old boy was hit by a school bus Thursday and died at an area hospital.

The pedestrian accident occurred in the 1700 block of Eden Park Boulevard in front of the high school.

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Officials said Deonte Cobbs, of McKeesport, was rushed to McKeesport Hospital. The medical examiner confirmed they were later called to the hospital.

“We are coping as best as we possibly can. It's always sad when you see a child die, but when it's your family member it hurts even more,” said Jeffery Walker, Cobbs’ cousin.

Police said students on the bus witnessed the accident.

"I went and did school applications just to keep my mind off of it. Being here is really emotional,"said Dahlasziah Konik, a student who was on a bus behind the one involved in the incident.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene to investigate.

McKeesport Area School District spokeswoman Kristen Davis issued the following statement Thursday:

"There are no words that can describe how devastated we are at the passing of one of our students. Unspeakable tragedies such as this are something that stay with us forever.

"We have been working over the past two years with PennDOT and the city of McKeesport to make the area around our campus safer. District administrators are with the friends and family of the student and we hope that everyone keeps them, and our community, in your thoughts and prayers."

"Counseling for any of our students is always available and will be accessible tomorrow morning to any student who feels that they would benefit from it."

Thursday's accident was reported in the same general area as another pedestrian accident that happened last year.

“This is a bad area at that time of day. I feel they’re the ones that are putting these people in danger,” said resident William Cuadhall.

Residents say their efforts to get crossing guards at this crosswalk have failed.

On Friday, people took it upon themselves to help students cross the street. They said they will continue doing so until a permanent change is made.

“As long as I'm not doing anything, this is where I'll be,” said Chipp Jefferson, a retired correctional officer from West Mifflin. “If there is a crossing guard here, then I won't be needed anymore. But I'll stay here as long as I'm needed.”

About two dozen parents lined Eden Park Boulevard Friday to help children cross the road safely.

Alyson Higdon, 14, was hit by a dump truck while following a group of students across Eden Park Boulevard in March 2014.

Cuadhall, who went to church with the Higdon family, said that Alyson's mother tried to take action but did not get far.

"It's very frustrating because the little girl that died last year, she was my next door neighbor," said Walker. "We can't have kids coming to get an education and dying on their way to get an education. It just doesn't make sense."

WPXI

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