Parents Of Teen Killed In School Bus Crash Speak Out

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Posted: 7:03 PM Jun 12, 2008
Last Updated: 12:13 AM Jun 13, 2008

11 comments

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It was an unimaginable loss for a Pendleton County family.

16-year-old Daniel Wood was killed May 1, after a dump truck hit his school bus on Highway 22 near Falmouth.

He was a sophomore at Pendleton County High School.

Thursday, his parents spoke publicly about the crash for the first time.

They say they want to see safety changes made to the road where Daniel died. They want the speed limit lowered, and obstructions, like trees, removed from the sides of the road.

Daniel's parents say they've collected hundreds of signatures from people also seeking safety changes to Highway 22.

Daniel's mother says she struggles with his death every day.

"As soon as I open my eyes, I remember my son's not gonna be there," Toni Wood said. "Every night before he went to bed, he'd make sure he came in to kiss me good night. And before he left for school that morning, he made sure he hugged me and kissed me."

The signatures will be sent to Governor Steve Beshear and other state leaders for their consideration.

Daniel Wood's parents did not comment Thursday on a lawsuit they've filed against the company that owned the truck.

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Posted by: Latisha Location: ky on Jun 20, 2008 at 02:12 AM
cousin. so before any of you make accusations on this family think about what you say. There are family that read this. think about how you would feel if someone was saying hurtful things about a family member of yours.

Posted by: Latisha Location: ky on Jun 20, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Pretty funny how those of you whom are making FALSE accusations on Toni Wood are not man/woman/grown up enough to present your name. You can voice your opinion all you want but at the end of the day Toni does not have her son to hug, kiss, hear his voice to say "mom i love you." All she has for the rest of her life is memories of what her son used to be. Daniel Wood was my cousin, he is loved and missed by everyone in my family. How dare any of you sit there in your homes with your family, children, or any of your loved ones that you have not lost and make False accusations on this family. Toni isnt doing it for the money as some of you think. And if she is isnt anyones business to say anything about it. Leave that up to the court on trial day. And how dare you say that she should fix the road herself, you people have no clue what this family is going through right now. And i hope to god that none of you ever experience the loss of a child or a loved one the way that i lost my little...

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 18, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Yes thats why they choose to file a lawsuit before their sons body was even at the morgue, they do have my prayers but also my shame for not buring their son before they went for some money!

Posted by: Friend Of Daniels on Jun 17, 2008 at 02:46 PM
My Prayers are sent to this family, because i also knew there son. I went to school with him loved him and miss him dearly..AND FOR PEOPLES INFORMATION this family is not trying to get money out of theres sons death!!!! These people just lost there son, have a heart and send them your prayers... i love daniel and miss him everyday. How would you feel if you lost your child or a family member?? AWFUL think twice before you leave a comment on here. I lost a friend and the last thing i said to him was good bye and i gave him a hug!!! This family needs are love and support.... so don't bash this family, send them your prayers. And always think of daniel J Wood!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: KY on Jun 13, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Looks like to me since the parents have saw they can't get the driver for negiligence since his drug and alcohol test were clean, they have changed their tune to now start to blame the road, ie, the county, it is very clear it is all about the money here, how sad it is when one loses a child it turns into how much money can we get!

Posted by: JENNIFER Location: P-BURG on Jun 13, 2008 at 02:50 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you 2!! Hopefully Mr. Beshear will consider this!!!THE SAME THING POSTED BY ANGIE WE HAVE SOME OF THESE SAME ROADS HERE IN P-BURG KY WE JUST HAD A WRECK ON 23 AND IT WAS A CAOL TRUCK AND TRUCK I JUST HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DOWN ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE USE OF CELL PHONE'S AND EATTING IF YOUR EATTING OR ON THE PHONE WHO NOWS WHEN SOMETHING OR SOMEONE CAN DART OUT INFRONT OF YOU AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT PLEASE KEEP OUR ROAD WAYS SAFE ..

Posted by: Goebel Location: Lexington on Jun 13, 2008 at 01:02 PM
I sure hope none of the buses with the flat front end get hit head on.

Posted by: Wow Location: Richmond on Jun 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Shes suing the company for millions. If she really cares let her pay to fix the road to justify that shes not seeking blood money. That would be the best way to spend money from such lawsuits to benefit the future generations rather than an individuals materialism.

Posted by: Erin Location: Frankfort on Jun 13, 2008 at 08:50 AM
While, Mr. Blanton probably drives that road everyday, my question is, have you rode on a school bus while traveling that road before? It doesn't matter if people aren't paying attention, it is still a VERY dangerous road and accident's are bound to happen. The road in question is very small and narrow. Meeting school buses and dump trucks is probably an everyday thing. Requesting these changes may make the road more visible to oncoming traffic and could prevent another tragic accident. Maybe by reducing the speed limit, people would have time to adjust to the changing curving road. My last thought, would be to think about what you would do or how would you feel if it was your child or someone you knew? While they can't change what happen, maybe they can prevent it from happening again.

Posted by: Don blanton Location: Zoe on Jun 13, 2008 at 05:02 AM
The parents want the road rebuilt,but the problem is we can't rebuild every road when someone dies.The problem is drivers who can't drive--they are on cellphones,eating and doing anything but paying attention.The mother says she drives the road and thinks 40mph is to fast,but I haven driven it also and the road is smooth and fine,but curvy(it is a rural highway and we can't make it 4 lanes wide and no curves)

Posted by: Angie Location: Lexington on Jun 13, 2008 at 01:41 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Hopefully Mr. Beshear will consider this!!!

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