(11/06/06) NORTH AMITYVILLE - A school bus in North Amityville struck and killed a young child Monday as he was trying to cross the street.

Police say at about 4 p.m. first-grader Markus Smith got off the school bus at his regular stop at the corner of North Somerset Road and Avon Road. Witnesses say Smith crossed the street before quickly turning back in search of his friends. After the bus drove approximately 15 feet, witnesses say the front left tire rolled over the 6-year-old boy. According to witnesses, an ambulance was called immediately and the child was seen kicking and convulsing while emergency workers lifted him. Smith's backpack and clothes, which needed to be torn off of him, were stuck wedged beneath the tire.

The boy was transported to NUMC where he died of his injuries. At the time of the tragedy more than 25 other Susan E. Wiley Elementary School students remained on board the bus.