TRAVERSE CITY - The mother of an 8-year-old northern Michigan boy who was hit and killed on the first day of school is just now speaking out.
“I’m just at a loss. And, it’s affected our family beyond words, And I just want justice for him,” says Kimberly Gilbert, JJ’s Mom
The mother of 8-year-old JJ Hoogeveen and Kimberly Gilbert is suing Traverse City Area Public Schools and others. JJ was tragically killed after being hit by a car. The court documents said he was sitting and waiting for the school bus in the King’s Court mobile home park when he was hit.
“It’s just a tremendous loss to the community all around. He had a profound effect on everybody he met. I’m not kidding you. He pulled on them heart strings, and I just can’t help but feel that he has been failed tremendously by the system,” shares Gilbert.
JJ Hoogeveen died on his first day of 3rd grade in September, the loss has brought his mom, Kimberly Gilbert to question why it took so long to change a bus stop.
“As we uncovered the layers of what had taken place over the course of several years, we uncovered a decision and a policy that had been developed that systemically showed, in my opinion, a reckless indifference to the civil rights of this class of people,” explains Attorney Joseph Ceglarek, Sam Bernstein Law.
Parents had been complaining to TCAPS and King’s Court about the bus stop saying it was unsafe for the kids for years, the new bus stop was approved in the summer but they were waiting to put up a fence, which was not done before the first day of school.
“You know, quite frankly, the fact that it was moved within less than a month or more. Maybe to a month to the day. Is now at least 3 feasibly alternative and reasonably safe where structures could have been built. Parking lots were accessible through park parent parking, and none of this was done over the course of six years quite frankly, once we developed or we found out the history of the school bus stops in this location, it led to the filing of the lawsuit,” says Attorney Ceglarek.
Gilbert stressed that this was something the community feared would happen.
“And it was only a matter of time. And it could have been any kiddo in that, that community. I’m just at a loss. And, it’s affected our family beyond words. And I just want justice for him.”
Gilbert is planning to do an endowment for students in the community in honor of JJ.
“I do feel like Sun Community is overlooked. So, the fund set up on their behalf is, that’s a JJ. He so generously includes everybody.”
The lawsuit is asking for more than $200,000,000 and 9&10 news did reach out to TCAPS for a comment, Superintendent Dr. VanWagoner said in a statement,
“TCAPS is always saddened at any tragedy involving students and in families in our community. In regard to this particular case, we have no comment with pending litigation.”