ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of a little boy is blaming Walt Disney World for the crash that killed him. Troopers say 9-year-old Chase Brubaker ran his bicycle into the side of a Disney bus Thursday, but the family doesn't believe it.
The 9-year-old boy was killed instantly in Thursday afternoon's crash. He was riding his bike with a friend on a sidewalk near Disney's Fort Wilderness campground. Then, eyewitnesses said, the boy crashed into the side of the bus and was pulled under and run over.
The family is hearing a different story from someone close to the scene. The 11-year-old girl, who was with the boy, told the family they were on the sidewalk. She's the same eyewitness troopers say has been extremely helpful in their investigation.
MOM SPEAKS OUT: "He Was Safe, Very Safe Kid" AT THE SCENE: Aerial Images | Aerial Raw Video 911 CALL: Hear Edited Version Of Call NEWS CONFERENCE: FHP Discusses Fatal Accident
Chase Brubaker's grieving St. Petersburg family spoke publicly for the first time Friday. The third grader, who was on vacation, was killed by a Disney bus at Fort Wilderness as he and his 11-year-old friend where heading to the arcade.
"And we just decided it was safe enough. We made the trip a couple times. There are big sidewalk and kids younger than him with training wheels," said Kelly Brubaker, Chase's mother (watch full interview).
Disney Bus Crash new blurb 040210 AT THE SCENE: Images | Aerial Video Kelly Brubaker is not only distraught; she's angry and blaming Walt Disney World. FHP says it appears the deadly crash was an accident. Investigators said Chase was run over when he drifted off the sidewalk and hit the bus.
His grandmother has doubts.
"The little girl that was with him just kept saying, ‘We were on a sidewalk, we were on a sidewalk,' and now he's gone," Barbara Burkett said.
Disney said it's not making any changes to how its buses travel on the property. Fort Wilderness guests told WFTV, with so many carefree children at the resort, there are some safety concerns.
"I don't know if you make separate roads for the buses would help. You're going to have kids riding bikes and having fun. They're on vacation," Disney guest Frank Lacko said.
WFTV's legal expert said, even if Disney makes some changes, it won't hurt it in a civil lawsuit. In fact, state law encourages businesses to take corrective steps after a tragic accident.
Chase's family hasn't mentioned any possible legal action. His mother said, right now, she's just looking for answers.
"He wasn't a daredevil and he was safe, very safe kid," she said.
It's the second tragic loss for the Brubakers. A few years ago, Chase's brother died in a drowning accident.
Disney wouldn't comment about the family's statements Friday specifically, instead saying that they will continue to support the family and offer their sympathies. Bus driver David Rich has requested some time off and is now on paid leave.
Late Friday afternoon, investigators released the 911 call (hear it) made in the moments after Chase was hit and killed.
"Um, we just pulled up behind. It looks as though a young child went out and pulled out in front of the bus and the bus hit him," the caller told the dispatcher.
Several people spoke with the 911 dispatcher during the call, including a nurse who said the 9-year-old boy was beyond any help.
Thursday's deadly crash wasn't the first accident on Disney property. Last week, a Disney bus driver crashed into a stopped tour bus on Epcot Center Drive, injuring eight people. Last summer, monorail train operator Austin Wuennenberg was killed when another train was cleared to go in reverse and crashed into his train.
Previous Stories: April 2, 2010: 911 Call Released In Disney Bus Crash April 2, 2010: 9-Year-Old Boy Killed By Disney Bus Identified
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