Jackson Jambalaya

Heartbreaking....

I KNOW that some people are going to argue against serious punishment for the car driver because of his age. I feel terrible for this man, but he is an adult who made a decision to ignore the law. As a result, a little boy died. Will it be terrible for an 82-year old man to be sent to jail? Yes. Is it a situation created by him? Yes?

There's no maximum driving age, like there's a minimum one. Absent mandatory testing by the state, it is ultimately incumbent on the individual to recognize when he no longer needs to be on the road. This man chose to keep driving. He chose to either drive when he no longer had the required skills, or he chose to drive without following the law. The child's death is on him and he needs to suffer the consequences that any other driver would suffer.

One day, my family and will have to have a discussion about my mom or dad, or both. I hope I remember this child at that time -- and that I remember that the way my family handles "the driving issue" with our parents impacts more than just us. I can't help but wonder if this gentleman's family had discussed taking away the keys, and had decided to let it go because they didn't want to upset him, or they decided to just hope for the best.

When it's time to have these talks, we ALL need to remember this little boy.

I have to wonder-in light of the fact that the man who admitted to killing this little boy was 82, is there a possibility it could spark some legislation on re-applying for a driver's license for seniors? I have to hope so. This is tragic every way you look at it.

I can't stop crying. Lord, please help us all, so many tragedies in such a short span of time. PLEASE GOD, bless all of the many families who have lost their loved ones and have mercy on those who need it.

My sweet husband tried to console me by reminding me that sometimes God needs young angels in Heaven. We have no doubt Allen is with his Heavenly Father and could not have lived a normal life here on Earth due to his injuries.

The punishment should be what the punishment should be. But y'all have no idea if the driver's age and/or supposed age-related skill set was a contributing factor. If we're going to re-test seniors then re-test EVERYONE at regular intervals and let's stop giving DLs to anyone under 18 or 21 years old. Because the age-related evidence of accidents and deaths of those 21 or younger is irrefutable. And while we're at it we need to ban the usage of handheld mobile devices of any type while operating motor vehicles.

This is just sad. No way around it.

Was just talking about this on facebook. When I found out that angel died, I was so mad. Since we were on the road, I had no idea anyone turned themselves in. I wanted the SOB who did it to pay for it and I was still thinking it was some uncaring, soul-less person who did it and wanted them to be punished for it. Then I found out it was an 82 year old man...my feelings changed...
No matter what happens, nothing is going to bring their baby back. I have a child and just thinking about this horrible tragedy happening to him makes tears run down my face. My heart breaks for the family for their loss. No one...NO ONE should have to go through this...
Yes, this was a HORRIBLE accident, but this is why everyone should slow down around a school bus. I was devastated this morning when I heard the news, and I was ready to prosecute the person who did it. But once I found out he was as old as he was, and the story he had, I softened- but just a little. His driving rights should have been revoked, but I cannot decide on what punishment would be fair. No matter how hard of a punishment, NOTHING is going to bring back their baby...and he does need to be held accountable for what he did....but how does one come up with a fair punishment? SHould it make any difference about his age? Would we feel different if he had been 19- like the kid who killed the MRA teacher last year?

Whatever happens, I am so terribly sorry for the loss of that innocent little boy. No parent should have to go through this. No child should have to suffer. I know NOTHING anyone says will ever make this any less painful or will ever take the hurt away. I just hope the ones who do have children, hold them a little tighter and love them a little harder. No one can prevent an accident from happening, so we just need to be sure our children know how much they are loved, honored, and treasured. I cannot imagine what anyone involved in this is going through and I hope oneday they will receive some peace from the pain and some relief from the hurt...even if just for a moment.

I can't judge the 82 year old without hearing from him. Several of you are assuming his age is a factor and his privilege should have been revoked. But, still we don't know since we haven't heard from him. His age and the fact that he had just taken his wife to chemo are contributors to the opinions of many people keeping up with the situation.

If he says he did not see the bus lights as he was distracted, that would make a difference to me. If he says the bus' lights were NOT blinking, that would make a difference to me. If he says he saw the bus and the lights but thought nothing of it, that would make a difference to me. But, before we assume he was simply 'old and incapable', we need to hear something from him.

I'm also interested in knowing what he has to say about proceeding after hitting the child, whether he says he had no idea he hit anything. That would be curious. If he says he doesn't remember hitting anything, didn't see the lights or thought nothing of them....then I'll agree that he had no business on the road.

Regardless, the law is what it is and the pain the child's family is experiencing will never go away.

As an aside, I think it's deplorable the number of black posters I've seen on the TV Facebook pages who suggest this story is getting attention because the child was white. That is beyond ridiculous, wrong and inciteful.

The man needs to have a competency evaluation - and if necessary, they should assess his level of responsibility. Depression can cause a lot of the same symptoms as Dementia - hopefully the legal system will handle this appropriately and well. This makes me so sad I want to cry, and I'm supposed to be working.

A fund will be set up by 10 a.m. this morning at Bancorp South in Richland to help with funeral expenses. I have 3 children in the Rankin County School District and this is just heart breaking. It could have been any of our kids. Just lets you know that you never know when it will be the last time you will kiss your kids goodbye.

I have cried all morning and I don't know either family. It's just a sad situation all the way around.

I seriously can't understand people who say "God has a plan" or "God needed an angel" or the million other things we tell ourselves. tell me exactly how the violent, painful, and/or needless deaths of children are explained by those phrases. I simply don't understand.

and to the point of the guy's age, I have believed for a long time that there should be a time when seniors either get tested or have some sort of documentation that his or her reflexes and/or sight are not subpar. granted, my grandmother is 72 and a magnificent driver so I'm not sure where the line should be, but there MUST be a discussion now. I saw one accident involving a senior this weekend and saw 2 almosts involving a senior this weekend.

The driver is a victim too. He'll never get over this. He had his wife's illness on his mind after dropping her off for chemotherapy and failed to stop at the bus's stop sign. I mourn for him as well.

Yes, let's have a discussion about retesting licensed at regular intervals for ALL AGES.

@paralegaldude: Those things are comforting to some people and therefore appropriate, at times. As to 'when' it's appropriate, you'd know if you were a believer. If you have a preacher or know one, you might ask him/her that question. It often is more comforting than shaking your head while frowning.

9:12
The dead child is the victim. The driver of the car, while he may suffer from extreme guilt the rest of his life, is not a victim in this. He is the cause of it, whatever the reasons may be.

Something has to change, young children can not appreciate risks such as this. If a school is going to transport our kids then the standard of care has to be raised. Hire additional staff that would get off the bus and ensure that the area is safe to cross. I know the school budget is limited, we should find the funds somewhere. I would be glad to pay more taxes if it increases safety.

What awful news.

I'm curious to see if the driver has anything to say. The reports said that he was aware of the situation with the bus and kids around but failed to stop.

I'm all for retesting (especially eye sight) to maintain a driver's license.

What about the young people killed this week when the driver was texting?

I know Mr. Watts and his wife. They are my neighbors, and Mr. Watts used to cut my hair before he retired several years ago. He and his wife are good people and he would NEVER do anything like this intentionally. His wife is confined to a wheel chair and is dying with cancer. He has been under a tremendous amount of pressure with her health failing and his inability to do much for her. They are not rich people and have relied on the State and county for some support for food, etc. None of this is an excuse for what has happened. A little boy's life has been lost. I cannot imagine the grief being felt by the family right now. That same grief is being shared by Mr. and Mrs. Watts. Everyone associated with this disaster will never be the same. We can only hope and pray that God will provide a helping hand for the suffering of all parties concerned.

3:13 makes an excellent suggestion. We think that by passing Nathan's Law and adding brighter flashing lights to busses and stomping our feet about jail time, our children are somehow safe or safer. It's a total crapshoot every day as to whether a hundred thousand drivers will stop for a school bus. And we're not betting five bucks in the crap shoot. We're betting the lives of children. There HAS to be a better way to safely onboard and offboard children.

I have a suggestion that may not at all make sense, but, here goes. If hospitals can legally 'employ' volunteers, why cannot schools use volunteers assigned to busses for the purpose suggested above by 3:13. Which will be the first school district in Mississippi to implement the 'rider safety officer' practice?

WHY do we need to continue the "school bus system" anyway? Everyone has a car(s) these days and they get can get their kids to school and home from school....if they want to. I see school buses dropping off kids at houses where there is a car in the garage or driveway. School buses are not safe and they are COSTLY. Think of the money it would save.

'Everyone' does not have a car 'these days'. There are thousands of families who could not manage daily transport to and from school.

Can you imagine the traffic nightmares if everyone dropped off and picked up their elementary and middle school children?

I've always thought we need a safety officer to board child who cross the street. Yes, it's expensive, but it's well worth it.

9:22 these "carless" folks manage to get to WalMart and everywhere else they WANT and NEED to get to. It's just that the government has provided transportation for them for decades and nobody wants to address the absurdity of the school bus transit system. It is NOT SAFE!!!
9:40 why would it be a traffic nightmare for everyone to drop off their children? Explain. It is done everyday and there are no traffic nightmares. They drop them off at the mall, movies, etc.

4:48 How do you know the driver was texting? Is that a fact or just assumption?

There is no evidence the driver was texting (assuming you're talking about the three Madison teenagers),nor has that been mentioned in the investigation.

As to people being able to 'get to Wal Mart', what an arrogant comment! I have a neighbor down the road apiece who is a doctor and his wife is a nurse. His children ride the bus home where an elderly person awaits their return. I'm sure these rather upscale folks don't park in the disabled zone at Wally World.

But, since I suspect you were referring to 'black folks' let me point out that your racism is showing.

Shadowfax: The "doctor and nurse down the road apiece" can provide transportation for their children to get to school if they had to. You made my point for me! Thank you.

As for my racism? As always, the first rock that is thrown is the racism rock.....boring and tiresome.
Think of something new.
:)

Can't imagine how I 'made your point'. The point is that not everybody is sitting at home watching The View with the time and available vehicle to take to and from school. Some people work and can't leave the job at 3:00 or 3:45 to pick Johnny or Jakeeta up at the school house. And as someone else said, imagine the situation we'd have with twenty thousand parents in Madison County driving their kids to school, even if they could. Perhaps Jatran could expand or we could utilize the Head Start busses except at election time. The simple answer is a 'safety officer' on every bus transporting children under the age of 14.