Decatur community voices frustrations with city leaders following death of six-year-old

DECATUR, ILLINOIS — We now know the name of the 6-year-old hit by an SUV and killed while crossing the street on his way to a bus stop.

Macon County Coroner, Michael Burkham, identified the victim as Noah Edwards, earlier today.

Noah was struck at the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Packard Street, yesterday morning.

Decatur community members said they’ve raised concerns about the bus stop long before Edwards’ death.

The Decatur Public Schools district told me they have not received any complaints about the bus stop being at a busy intersection. But parents with children who use the bus stop tell me, that’s not true.

“You don’t get heard,” Decatur Parent, Evonnique Esper, said. “No matter how many calls, how many letters you write, complaints, all of us have come together... Made complaints and asked for help... Nothing.”

Parents who use the same bus stop on Oakland Avenue and Packard Street, said they’ve made multiple complaints to the district about their kids having to cross at a busy intersection, but haven’t received a clear answer.

“Could you change the stop, or you know, why is the bus stop, why do they have to cross the street,” Decatur Parent, Brittani Lane said. “Either the school will say ‘you have to call the bus company, you have to call the bus company,’ and the bus company... It’s like they blame each other.”

Dorothy Tosone said recently, her kids weren’t even dropped off at the proper bus stop.

“My kids, all three of my babies got dropped down all the way by King Street,” Tosone said. “My oldest son, Wyatt, told them he’s like ‘this isn’t our bus stop, my house is this way,’ and they had to walk. They walked all the way home.”

Parents told me those complaints have extended up to Decatur city officials.

I reached out to the city for answers on why there’s a lack of school bus signs in the area, to warn drivers to watch for children.

I was deferred to the Decatur Police Department, because Noah's death is an active investigation.

DPD told me they have nothing to do with traffic signs in the city. I relayed that message back to city officials, and was told they don’t have any additional information to provide.

I reached out to the school district with follow-up questions of how they will move forward following complaints, and did not receive a response.

To keep kids from crossing the street, parents whose kids attend Franklin Grove Elementary, received a call last night saying pickup and drop off will now be done on one side of the street.