Accident Investigation Training Returns to STN EXPO West

By: Ruth Ashmore

2 May 2025 at 21:56

School buses remain the safest way for students to get to school, but student transportation professionals must be prepared for the worst-case scenario when a school bus related accident occurs.

At STN EXPO West, safety will be the focus of many of the educational sessions and trainings. The conference kicks off Friday, July 12 with an in-depth “School Bus Accident Investigation: Be Prepared for a Lawsuit” presentation by industry veterans Richard “Dick” Fischer and Pete Baxter. The four-hour session will dive into the intricacies of accident investigation that often branch off beyond the incident itself to a broader view of transportation operations, including safety onboard the bus, at bus stops and in the school bus garage.

Fischer, a renowned national school bus safety expert and trainer, and Baxter, an NAPT Hall of Famer and retired director of pupil transportation for the Indiana Department of Education, will also discuss the legal process that follows a school bus accident and review real-life examples to demonstrate the importance of preparing transportation teams to handle the legal proceedings. Both Fischer and Baxter have served as expert witnesses in court for legal cases involving school bus collisions and look to shed light on the process, starting with the first phone call about an accident to appearing in court. Even though every transportation department or company hopes it will never happen to them, this session will reveal the need to prepare for different types of incidents.

Save $100 on regular conference registration with Early Bird registration by June 6. STN EXPO West will be held July 11-16 in Reno, Nevada at the Peppermill Resort. Find registration and hotel details and stay tuned for updates on the conference agenda, exhibitor lists & unique experiences at stnexpo.com/west.

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School Transportation News
Florida School Bus Driver Saves Student from Choking on Candy 30 January 2025 at 16:25

Florida School Bus Driver Saves Student from Choking on Candy

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo-Vigo

30 January 2025 at 16:25

A Volusia County school bus driver is being hailed a hero after helping a young boy that was choking on a piece of candy while on the bus, reported Fox 35.

The school bus driver, identified as Mayrelyn Lopez, said there was a disturbance in the back of the bus shortly after arriving at her first afternoon stop. The disruption, which was unrelated to the choking incident was quickly resolved.

However, as Lopez made her way back to her driver’s seat, she noticed a boy turning light purple. The boy, identified as Levi Holder, had reportedly just eaten a piece of candy, and it got stuck in his throat.

Lopez told local news reporters that she grabbed Holder and performed the Heimlich Maneuver, which is a first aid technique school bus drivers are trained on to dislodge a blockage in the airway. The action cleared the candy from Holder’s throat. Surveillance footage shows Lopez springing into action to help the student.

According to the article, Holder fully recovered and told local news reporters that Lopez was very nice and thanked her for saving his life. Additionally, Holder’s mother expressed gratitude for Lopez’s willingness and her attentiveness in the situation.

The surveillance video is not being shared with the public due to privacy concerns. Most school districts have no eating policies on board the school bus for this very reason.

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