West Johnston High student hit by car while waiting for school bus

The incident happened just after 7 a.m. in the 2000 block of Old Fairground Road, near N.C. Highway 210, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Zachary Berent was treated at WakeMed for a back injury and released.

Joan Ingram, who lives nearby, said Berent was standing at the edge of a driveway and was about to cross the road to board the bus when the car hit him. He was knocked about 20 feet into a ditch.

The bus had its stop-arm out and flashing lights on at the time, authorities said.

"There've been close calls here," Ingram said. "I have children that get on and off the school bus, and there are cars that have gone past the stop sign. I guess they just don't pay much mind to the stop sign."

Angela McGee-Platt, 52, of Angier, was charged with failure to stop for a stopped school bus, which is a felony offense when someone is injured. She was released on a $5,000 bond.

Ingram said cars routinely speed along Old Fairground Road, where the posted speed limit is 55 mph.

First Sgt. Jeff Gordon, spokesman for the Highway Patrol, said speed wasn't a factor in Thursday's incident.