A Fuquay-Varina High School student was hit by a car on Dec. 19, attempting to board a school bus.

Officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department responded to a report of an accident on at 6:57 a.m. at the corner of Judd Parkway and Red Oak Tree Lane.

“According to witness reports, a Wake County School bus approached a stop at Judd Parkway traveling North West towards where the road dead ends,” a statement released by Fuquay-Varina Public Information Susan Weis said.

Officials said Blair Rowe Hale, 31, was traveling south east on Judd Parkway as the school bus approached the stop. The bus driver turned on orange flashing lights to indicate the bus was about to stop.

John Luke Kurucz, 17, walked into the road to meet the school bus and was struck by Hale’s vehicle.

Kurucz was transported to Wake Medical Center. He was alert and conscious and his injuries are not life threatening, the statement said.

Hale has been charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

An investigation is ongoing by the Fuquay-Varina Police.

Police chief Larry Smith said there’s plenty drivers and pedestrians can do to prevent this type of accident.

When drivers see the flashing lights on a school bus, motorists should start slowing down.

“The bus driver is activating the amber lights to give the motorist notice that they are getting ready to activate the red lights and stop,” Smith said. “Drivers should always use caution and stay alert when they see a school bus.”

Smith also encourages bus passengers to stay alert.

“Students should always wait for the bus driver to extend the ‘stop bar’ and red lights before moving toward the bus to enter into it.”

To learn more about school bus safety laws, go to http://www.ncbussafety.org/schoolbussafety/sbswlaw.html.