Friends and family gathered in South Philadelphia Monday night to remember a young mother who was struck and killed by a SEPTA bus while she was crossing the street with her son.
A vigil was held for 29-year-old Sheena White on 15th Street and Washington Avenue. Loved ones prayed, sang songs and released balloons in her honor.
On Friday, White and her 8-year-old son Kenny were walking on 15th and Washington when they were hit by a Route 27 bus.
The mother and son were in the crosswalk at the time and were struck as the bus made a left onto Washington Avenue, officials said.
"They ran in front of the bus and she was caught by the front of the bus," said Capt. Anthony Ginaldi.
Ginaldi said she was pulled under the front tire. When officers arrived, they found the boy trying to revive his mother.
“He was in the street by his mother asking his mommy to just get up,” said Sheena’s mother Delores White while in tears.
Sheena White died from her injuries at the scene. Kenny was treated for several cuts, bruises and a badly injured leg at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He was released Monday and will now live with his grandmother.
“He has no mother and no father,” Delores White said. “I’m what he’s got.”
Kenny will require a wheelchair due to the injuries he suffered. But the family says the emotional scars are far more damaging than the physical.
“I’m going to get him some professional help,” Delores said. “As I said he has no mother and no father right now.”
Sheena White’s sister LeKesha White told NBC10 she hopes the accident will lead to changes that will prevent another tragedy.
“These blindsides are what’s killing these people,” she said. “They were in the crosswalk. He should’ve seen them.”
The bus driver involved in the accident has not been charged though police continue to investigate. NBC10 reached out to SEPTA for comment. They told us they would not respond at this time since the incident is still under investigation.
