Family Of 7 Year Old Killed Getting Off School Bus Want Case Re-Presented To Grand Jury

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been almost one year since a seven year old Pontotoc county girl was killed after she was struck by a car while getting off her school bus in front of her home.

Recently, a Grand Jury decided that no criminal charges should be filed against the driver. That decision has sparked outrage and calls for the case to be presented again to the Grand Jury.

As a large crowd stood behind her on the steps of the Pontotoc County Courthouse, Andrea Braxton made it clear she doesn’t think justice was served when the Grand Jury decided not to indict the driver of the car that hit and killed her 7 year old daughter Amiya.

“We are not satisfied with this,” Andrea Braxton said.

It has almost been one year since Amiya was struck as she got off of her school bus in front of her house. The female driver said she didn’t see the stopped school bus, and swerved to the right, instead of into oncoming traffic.

The driver was never charged, but the case was presented to the Grand Jury. Two weeks ago, the Grand Jury decided not to indict the driver. Reaction was swift. Braxton family spokesman James Hull, cited “Nathan’s Law”, which increased penalties for driving by a stopped school bus, in his plea for the case to be reopened and re-presented to the Grand Jury.

Hull says the case is not about race.

“This is absolutely not a black and white thing, this is about justice and anybody who tries to paint it otherwise is just being unfair to this family, they are actually being unfair to the death of a seven year old child,” Hull said.

Also, family members say witnesses have since come forward, who did not give their testimony to the Grand Jury. Amiya’s mother and father say they are holding onto their faith and hope.

“The importance of it to me, when they first presented it, they didn’t have everything they needed, now we all know that is witnesses out there who saw it from start to finish,” said Charles Braxton.

“My faith is all I have, God is all I have, I serve Him because He loves me and He’s going to work everything out for me, He’s keeping me together , my family together and He’s helping us to stay strong in this trying time,” Andrea Braxton said.

Family, friends and supporters, say they will keep this issue in front of the public. A candlelight vigil will take place sometime in the coming weeks on the town square, in honor of Amiya.
Neither the District Attorney, nor the sheriff could comment on camera, because of the possibility the case could be opened again.

A Go-Fund-Me page has been set up for the family of Amiya, to help with expenses in the wake of the incident.