MADERA – A Madera South student is in a local hospital in critical condition following being hit by a van while waiting for a school bus earlier Monday morning. The incident took place near Avenue 10 and Road 25 in rural Madera County three miles from the Madera City Limits.

The van was possibly traveling at a high rate of speeds south on Road 25 at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning when the vehicle reportedly hit a large area of water that extended into the middle of the road and hydroplaned according to Madera CHP Officer Gregorio Rodriguez.

The suspect's 1999 Chevrolet Astrovan left the roadway and hit the boy, who was thrown about 100 feet. The vehicle continued into a field striking several trees. The 17 year old student, Benito Calva Fermin, suffered major injuries to his lower body, including broken legs, arms and a hip. He was airlifted to Fresno's Community Regional Medical Center where he now lays in the Intensive Care Unit with critical injuries. According to his father he is recovering following surgeries Monday night.

California Highway Patrol has arrested the driver of the van, Manuel Morales Rosales (23), and booked him into the Madera County Department of Corrections for driving under the influence causing bodily injury and driving without a valid license. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

Madera Unified Superintendent Todd Lile issued this statement, "Student safety is our top priority and as a community, it is important that we drive cautiously, especially during the rainy season. This is a somber reminder of the importance of being aware of your surroundings, abiding by traffic rules, and practicing safe driving, especially around school buses and students.  Also, we ask the community to remember to slow down when a bus turns on its amber lights and stop when the bus has red lights on. This allows our students to safely board the bus."

Counselors are available to students at Madera South who may wish to talk about this tragedy.