Maj. Percy Knight of the Bogalusa Police Department said that two children were hit by a vehicle Thursday morning on Marshall Richardson Road, while waiting for a school bus.

“On March 15 at 6:40 a.m., the Bogalusa Police Department received a call, in reference to a vehicle striking two students while attempting to board a school bus at the intersection of Marshall Richardson Road and Meadowlea Street,” Knight said.

The school bus was stopped in the eastbound lane on Marshall Richardson Road with the red lights flashing and stop signs deployed, Knight said.

“As two minor children crossed the road to board the bus, a vehicle traveling west on Marshall Richardson Road failed to stop and struck both minors,” he said.

“The 11-year-old male victim was transported to St. Tammany Hospital in Covington by ambulance and then airlifted to Our Lady Of The Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. where he is now in stable condition. The 11-year-old female victim was transported by ambulance to St. Tammany Hospital in Covington and later transported to North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, where she is now in stable condition.”

Knight said that the driver of the vehicle, Willie Johnson, 66, of Bogalusa first told the officers that he was a passenger, and that the driver got out of the vehicle and fled the scene. All the witnesses on the scene identified Johnson as the driver, Knight said.

Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the BPD. During an interrogational interview, Johnson confessed that he was the driver of the vehicle, Knight said. Johnson reportedly stated that the vehicle brakes were not operable and he was able to get the vehicle stopped by using the emergency brake system on the vehicle.

Johnson was booked on the charges of overtaking and passing school buses, resisting an officer (providing false information) no insurance, expired driver’s license, unsafe vehicle, two counts of vehicular negligent injury and driving while intoxicated (suspected drug use).