[Cambodian-American] Teen struck, killed by school bus

Sodany April Phann was fatally struck by a Lakota school bus in the 4800 block of Long Drive in Liberty Township. She would've turned 16 on Thursday.
Family members of Sodany "April" Phann, 15, erected a makeshift memorial in their yard, near the scene of the accident. April was struck and killed by a Lakota bus Monday in the 4800 block of Long Drive in Liberty Twp. April, who attended Lakota East High, would have turned 16 on Thursday.
Kimmean Phann, mother of Sodany "April" Phann, 15, bows down after lighting candles near the scene of the accident. April was struck and killed by a Lakota bus Monday in the 4800 block of Long Drive in Liberty Twp. April, who attended Lakota East High, would have turned 16 on Thursday.
Sombath Phann, uncle of Sodany April Phann, 15, holds a photo of Sodany, who was killed after she was struck by a Lakota school bus just outside her house in the cul-de-sac of Long Drive in Liberty Twp. April, who attended Lakota East High, would've turned 16 on April 1.
Ranny Prom, cousin of Sodany "April" Phann, reacts after April was struck and killed by a school bus just outside her home in the 4800 block of Long Drive in Liberty Twp. April, who attended Lakota East High, would've turned 16 on April 1.

March 29, 2010
By Jennifer Baker and Michael D. Clark
Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio, USA)

Sodany April Phann’s family was planning a celebration for her 16th birthday on Thursday. Now they are planning her funeral.

The Lakota East High School sophomore died in the predawn darkness Monday when she was struck by a school bus as she attempted to cross a suburban street in Butler County’s Liberty Township.

The teen, who went by “April Phann”, was trying to get to another bus on Long Drive in the Elk Run subdivision, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

The honor-roll student died in the middle of the cul-de-sac, just a few feet from the driveway of her aunt’s house in the 4800 block of Long Drive, where she caught the bus most mornings because her mother worked early hours.

Sodany was looking forward to attending college after high school and was considering Xavier University, said family members, many of whom were overcome by grief in the aftermath of the teen’s death. Relatives said the soft-spoken student enjoyed tutoring neighborhood children in geometry.

“April Phann was a great student and an even better young woman,” said Lakota East Principal Keith Kline. “She worked hard in the classroom and had dreams of going to college to become a veterinarian. Our entire school community is in shock and will miss her terribly.”

“She was very close to many students in our building and her loss will be felt by both our students and teachers alike. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

The tragedy stunned Lakota East and officials who said it was the first time since the 1980s that a Lakota student died in a school bus accident.

It was also the first school bus-related death of an area teenage student since May 2008 when a Pendleton County student – 16 year- old Daniel Wood – was killed while riding in a school bus that was struck by a dump truck.

Sodany was walking to the bus stop with her uncle, who also is 15 and attends Lakota East, when she was hit in the dark and rain at 6:23 a.m.

The uncle, Vuthy Phann, 15, said his niece was almost to the sidewalk when she was hit. He said he ran after the driver and tapped on her window.

“She put her hands up like she had no clue,” he said.

Officials said the school bus, operated by the Petermann Bus Co., had picked up another student on Long Drive, turned around in the cul-de-sac and was leaving when it hit Sodany.

Butler County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jeff Gebhart said the bus was going about 5 mph when the accident happened. Phann did not ride the bus that struck her, which takes special needs students to a variety of schools.

Butler County Sheriff's Office Lt. Lance Bunnell said later in the day that early indications are that the teen was at fault.

Bunnell said there is no evidence that alcohol or drugs played a role with the veteran, female bus driver, nor any signs of a mechanical failure in the vehicle. He said it is unlikely that charges against the driver, who has driven buses for the Petermann bus company for 23 years, will be filed.

Keith Harms, Petermann’s safety director, said the driver was “very distraught".
One student was on the bus at the time of the fatality and was not injured.

Mental health professionals specializing in grief counseling were at the school Monday – and others in the Lakota system, where Sodany’s family members are students.

Sodany’s relatives, originally from Cambodia, gathered at the driveway and erected a memorial with roses, candles and a teddy bear, all covered by an umbrella.

They wept as they recalled the sweet, soft-spoken girl.

“She was so young and innocent,” said her aunt, Samantha Phann. “She liked helping people.”

Sodany ’s mother briefly spoke with reporters before being overcome with emotion. She was led into her sister’s house by another relative.

“I never thought something like this would happen,” said Sodany’s father, Sothy Prim of Price Hill, as tears streamed down his cheek. “She never asked for anything. She was pleasing. She never asked anything of us.”

Sodany was hoping to attend a Justin Bieber concert in June, her aunt said.

Another uncle, Sareth Phann, said “life is rough enough and now this happened.”