Family of Sussex boy killed in school bus accident launches "Finn's Rule" safety initiative for thousands of drivers

SUSSEX, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The family of Finn Katona, the young boy who was killed in a school bus incident last January in Sussex, is launching a new safety initiative in honor of their son.

Finn, who had just turned five, died last January when he accidentally stepped off of a median and into the direct path of a moving school bus in the Silver Spring Intermediate School's parking lot.

Now more than a year later, the family has reached a settlement agreement. 

According to the Katona's legal team, the monetary amount will remain confidential, but their message isn’t.

It's called "Finn's Rule."

Now, 23,000 Student Transportation of America bus drivers will receive cards with "Finn's Rule" and a picture of Finn on them, with reminders to always check the danger zones around the vehicles.

Drivers will also receive enhanced safety training later this year.

“It is such an unspeakable loss that no word is sufficient to convey its horror," said attorney Timothy Trecek of Habush Habush & Rottier, who is representing the Katonas. “When four and five-year-old children are walking inches away from moving buses, it’s not a question of if a tragedy will occur but rather, when.”

Finn's parents said Finn's Rule is their son's legacy and they hope bus drivers will carry the cards whenever they're behind the wheel to honor him while also acting as a safety check. 

“They wanted me to help ensure that no other family would suffer this type of horror involving a school bus and a child," Trecek said. 
“Importantly, Finn’s rule will also be introduced and shared with a number of other national school bus companies which will increase the potential reach and scope of Finn’s rule to more than 130,000 school bus drivers nationally... when change comes from loss, it can give enduring purpose to that loss by helping prevent it from happening again.”