Driver in bus stop accident meets with police

Cary, N.C. — An Apex woman surrendered to Cary police Tuesday, Lt. Randall Rhyne said. Rita Braman, 50, of 2412 Optimist Farm Road, was charged with failure to stop for a school bus in a crash that injured a Carnage Middle School student last week.

Braman was out of jail Tuesday afternoon on a $3,000 bond.

Police say Joey Liptak, 12, was crossing Penny Road at Crickentree Drive on Friday morning when Braman, driving a burgundy Ford Ranger pickup truck, struck him. Liptak was treated at and released from WakeMed.

Braman and a male passenger stopped and waited with the boy until paramedics arrived, police said. She talked to officers at the scene and was later treated for stress and anxiety over the incident.

Police said the school bus's safety arm was out and its lights were flashing when Liptak was hit. Braman was driving in the opposite direction of the school bus.

Neighbors said Liptak and other students were waiting for the school bus outside Oak Grove Elementary School. The bus was late, so they crossed Penny Road to get a ride from a parent. Before they got into a car, though, the bus arrived.

The students were re-crossing Penny Road to return to the bus when the pickup hit Liptak.