Jan. 13--A bus driver was taken off duty after she allegedly struck and injured a 7-year-old girl on Tuesday afternoon in a parking lot in Woodstock, authorities said.
The driver, Lynne R. Keller of Huntley, was cited for failure to use due care and failure to signal in connection with the incident, which happened about 3:15 p.m. in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, 1275 Lake Ave., according to Woodstock police.
Authorities said the bus Keller was driving was being used as part of the McHenry County dial-a-ride service. The service, known as McRide, is operated in partnership with Pace, the suburban bus agency. The driver was a contractor employed by First Transit.
Witnesses told police the bus was traveling south in one of the lanes in the lot between parked cars when it struck the girl, police said.
The girl was taken to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock and then airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, authorities said. The girl was later released, police said, but authorities would not reveal the nature of her injuries.
Police said their investigation into the incident is continuing.
Keller was "removed from service pending the investigation," said Jay Brock, spokesperson for First Transit.
Patrick Wilmot, spokesman for Pace, said the driver was tested for drugs and alcohol, although there is no suspicion she was under the influence of either.
Neither the driver nor the five bus passengers were injured, Wilmot said.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
