ROWAN COUNTY, NC- Dark skies on Saturday evening were a dreary backdrop for an emotional night as loved ones remembered the life of 17-year-old Makinzy Smith.
The West Rowan High School student was laid to rest Saturday night after being hit and killed walking to his school bus Thursday.
Now, friends and family want harsher charges against the driver accused of hitting and killing him.
“There ought to be stricter laws and I don’t even know the penalty they’re going to give her but it’s unfair to get out on bail for one thousand dollars,” said Jimmy Coley, a Salisbury resident.
The woman who hit Smith is 57-year-old Barbara Harrison Smith (no relation). Troopers say she drove around a school bus’s flashing stop sign and hit Makinzy.
Smith is charged with felony passing a stopped school bus causing death.
“I think that’s way too low for the crime she’s committed. It’s just not fair,” said Scott Woodard, a former classmate of Makinzy’s.
As family and friends call for harsher punishment on the driver, Makinzy’s young life is being honored. A rock outside west rowan high leaves a painful reminder for students.
“It’s a shame. It’s a terrible loss for everyone and he touched a lot of people. Just a good kid,” said Woodard.
Smith is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
A bill that increases the penalties for accidents involving school busses takes effect December 1st.
Drivers caught passing a stopped school bus face a misdemeanor charge with a $500 fine. For drivers who fail to stop and hit a child, it’ll be a felony with a $2,500 fine. And if a child dies a result, the fine jumps to $5,000.
