Kansas teen with special needs struck, killed by truck

A Kansas teen, who was a student at a Wichita school for children with special needs, died this weekend after she was hit by a truck.

The 19-year-old woman ran from a ditch in front of the moving truck going southbound on N. Webb Road and the driver tried but was unable to stop the vehicle before it hit her, according to Wichita Police Lt. Chris Marceau, KSN News reports.

The woman was identified Sunday as a student at Heartspring School which, according to the school website, is a longtime “leader and innovator in services for children with special needs and their families.”

“It is with the deepest sorrow that we share the loss of a Heartspring student,” the school said Sunday in a statement on its Facebook page, noting the teen “left an off-campus home environment” shortly after 8 p.m. local time Saturday and “was struck by an oncoming truck, and passed away.”

“From all accounts, the staff in the home were intently following current protocols set by Heartspring and outside governing bodies,” the statement continued. “There are simply no words to describe a loss of this nature.”

The school noted that it is “closely working” with the student’s family “and offering whatever assistance possible” but would not provide additional details out of respect for the young woman’s family.

“The staff are devastated as we have lost a beloved member of our family,” said Heartspring. “We are offering intensive mental health resources as many staff are deeply affected.”

Authorities are checking the area for surveillance that could assist in the investigation, according to KSN News.