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Child hit, killed by Orange County school bus was cancer survivor, family says: 'Already been through a lot'

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Updated  January 18, 2024 12:04am EST
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando

Vigil held for boy killed by school bus

A 9-year-old boy died on Tuesday after being hit by an Orange County school bus, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Family, friends, and strangers gathered for a vigil on Wednesday night to remember Elyas Marshall-Rodriguez.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A 9-year-old boy died on Tuesday after being hit by an Orange County school bus, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Family, friends, and strangers gathered for a vigil on Wednesday night to remember Elyas Marshall-Rodriguez.

"This situation has been very hard to deal with, so to know that her child was loved by all the children in the neighborhood," said Trenae Gayle, Marshall-Rodriguez's cousin.

Easily more than 100 people were in attendance. Some classmates spoke. His football team was also there. The vigil was at the site of the memorial which marks the scene of the crash.

"I loved my nephew," said Marshall-Rodriguez's uncle, Richard Rodriguez. "My nephew was very special to me. I did everything with him."

The boy's family has described him as a fighter, having battled cancer at a young age and was in remission. They said he had big dreams of playing professional ball. The loss is taking a devastating toll on his mom and siblings. 

"He had already been through a lot in his life, so for this to happen," Gayle said. "There's nothing that can be done to take away what she's going through. After the cameras leave, after the mourners leave, she will always have to deal with this pain. Her last born and her baby." 

RELATED: Florida boy, 9, killed after crawling under moving Orange County school bus

You could feel the sadness at the Waterford East Apartments all day on Wednesday as family and friends constructed the memorial.

"I was walking by, and I just started to cry because I can't imagine what they're going through," said Zuleyma Cleaussell, who lives in the apartment complex.

Boy run over by bus was cancer survivor

New details have emerged in the death of a 9-year-old boy who was run over by a school bus.

The family has created a GoFundMe to cover the costs of Elyas' funeral expenses and help support his immediate family. Some of the nearby businesses have answered the call for help. 

"I urge local businesses to stand united and support this family during this tragic and devastating loss. Before we are business owners, we are mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons – and now is the time to support this community and give back to them just as they have supported us," said Lydia Marouf, owner of Layalina Hookah Lounge. "My deepest condolences go out to the family, and friends, and community as this tragedy has impacted us all."

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In a preliminary report, state troopers said the 9-year-old may have run back towards the bus after getting off, crawled underneath as it was moving, and was hit. 

Orange County Public Schools confirmed some of the buses are equipped with 360 cameras that are activated when the bus is in reverse or if the left or right arrow is on. It's not clear yet if this bus had the equipment. 

Cousin of boy run over by school bus speaks

A woman who identified herself as a cousin of a 9-year-old boy who was run over by an Orange County school bus spoke about the incident.

Troopers said Tuesday that they had reviewed the surveillance video from the school bus and the apartment complex and interviewed at least one witness as the investigation continues. 

Neighbors said they hope the family gets more answers soon.  

"No one should ever outlive their child," said Ismael Cleaussell, who lives in an apartment.

The family said a candlelight vigil was planned in Elyas' honor.