North Providence Schools in Rhode Island is adding video cameras to its school buses to catch motorists who drive past stopped buses and run their stop signs, reported WPRI 12.

A school bus driver from the district, Cynthia Sanchez, told local news reporters that she often sees drivers ignore the stop sign on the side of her bus. Sanchez stated that she often radios dispatch to report a vehicle’s license plate number every time someone runs her red light at 30 mph. Yet nothing changes.

According to the news report, school buses from the district have now been equipped with new cameras to hold those drivers accountable for illegal passing.

Police chief Alfredo Ruggiero told local news reporters that the district received the BusPatrol cameras through a grant. The devices can be found all around the bus, from the stop sign to the windshield.

The cameras begin to record when school bus operators open the loading doors and stop recording when doors close.

According to the article, as of April the town is giving motorists a 30-day grace period to comply with the law by mailing a warning letter. Starting May 1, motorists can face fines between $250 and $500. Their driver’s license could also be suspended for 30 days.

Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology
Related: Ohio Bill Seeks School Bus Illegal Passing Fine Increase, Safety Fund
Related: Georgia Gov Signs Law Following Fatal Illegal Passing Incident
Related: School Bus Cameras Could Soon Catch Pittsburgh Drivers That Don’t Stop

The post Rhode Island District Adds School Bus Video to Reduce Illegal Passing appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus aid in Howard County, Maryland, was accused of sexual assault against students, reported WBAL TV 11.

According to the news report, 80-year-old Albert Rice, Jr. was charged with sexual assault and a fourth-degree sex offense after he was accused of hurting two students.

Police said detectives received reports that Rice allegedly hit a non-verbal student on a school bus. Surveillance video was pulled and police found evidence of Rice hitting a 13-year-old non-verbal student and inappropriately touching another 13-year-old student.

According to charging documents obtained by local news reporters, video of the incident showed the teen first struck Rice, who responded by hitting the teen in the face while she was secured in a seatbelt. The charging documents also state that Rice admitted to investigators that he was frustrated with the victim when he hit her.

Detectives stated via the article that Rice is an aide for a school bus that transports students to to the Linwood Center, a non-public special education program in Ellicott City. He is reportedly not employed by the school but by transportation company Bowen Bus Services. Rice has been an aide for two and a half years. The school declined to comment further.

It is unclear when the incident occurred. However, back in February, Rice was reportedly suspended over an unspecified incident. Police say via the article there are no indications of other victims but anyone with information can contact the department. The investigation is ongoing.

Related: Wisconsin School Bus Driver Arrested
Related: Louisiana School Bus Driver Arrested Amid Sexual Assault Charges
Related: Virginia School Bus Aide Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: 3-Year Prison Sentence for School Bus Aide Convicted in Choking Death

The post Maryland School Bus Aid Charged with Sexual Assault appeared first on School Transportation News.

Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) held a bus roadeo for its drivers to show off their skills in school transportation, reported 29 News.

According to the news report, the district’s bus drivers took on timed challenges March 28 and demonstrated their skills in backing up, parking and navigating tight spaces.

ACPS Bus Driver Jan Kendrick told local news reporters that the roadeo gives the drivers a chance to get together and show what they can do. More than just a roadeo, bus drivers view it as training and a chance for friendly competition.

Kendrick said competing in the roadeo also helps them every day when driving students to and from school. The district serves over 14,000 students from elementary to high school.

“A bus driver has more to do in that one seat than any other driver out there,” said Kendrick via the article.

The Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference held in Frisco, Texas each November, also features a school bus roadeo, allowing a driver and monitor team to compete on a national level.

Related: TSD Evacuation Class Emphasizes Importance of Training
Related: Texas Teams Dominate Roadeo Competition Held at TSD Conference
Related: Virginia School Bus Driver Retires After Over 50 Years of Service
Related: Gallery: Roadeo, Leadership Award, Autism Advice on TSD Day 3

The post Virginia School District Holds School Bus Rodeo Skills Competition appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver in North Pole, Alaska, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possessing firearms.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety released a statement regarding an incident that that occurred March 27, when a North Pole High School bus driver was pulled over for failing to maintain its lane and erratic driving.

According to the statement, the bus driver, identified as 24-year-old Lawrence Dunlap, was arrested on probable cause of being under the influence of drugs while operating a school bus. Officers recovered two firearms from the suspect’s belongings.

Police stated that there were no children present at the time of the stop or arrest.

According to local news reports, Dunlap could not tell the officers how he picked up the school bus and explained that he did not mean to turn onto Badger Road and that he was on his way to pick up students from North Pole High School.

Police said via the statement that any charges reported in the press release are merely allegations and Dunlap is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Indicted For DUI
Related: Missouri School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
Related: North Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI
Related: FMCSA Takes CDL from W.V. School Bus Driver in DUI Crash

The post Alaska School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession appeared first on School Transportation News.

The Chandler Unified School District in Arizona implemented a pilot program to boost school bus driver’s pay amid a nationwide shortage, reported Azcentral News.

The district’s governing board reportedly set aside roughly $610,000 for stipends and higher wages for school bus drivers for the remainder of this school year and next. The district has 162 bus drivers on staff and 14 on the queue.

According to the new report, with the increases, the annual salary for bus drivers will range from $34,000 to $38,000, depending on the types of routes.

“The pilot program makes Chandler Unified very competitive, if not the most competitive for bus driver pay,” said Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry.

The district serves roughly 44,000 students across 55 schools in the East Valley of Phoenix metro.

Every district school bus driver will reportedly receive a $500 stipend at the end of the current school year. They will also receive greater flexibility to use paid time off.

Additionally, approximately 60 drivers that have added new bus routes or combined previous ones five or more times throughout the quarter will be eligible for a stipend of $500 for the fourth quarter and back pay of $500 for doing so previously.

According to the article, it is expected that about five drivers out of the 60 will be eligible for an additional $500 stipend for taking on what the districts refers to as “hard to fill” routes, five or more times throughout the fourth quarter.

Paid time off flexibility will continue next year as well. In the past, the district’s school bus drivers that worked 32 hours a week were unable to take paid time off. Now, they will be able to use up to 14 hours of paid time off during weeks in which they’ve already worked 32 hours.

Beyond the pilot program, the district reportedly offers $1,000 stipends for new bus drivers and $1,000 stipends for existing bus drivers who refer another driver. Board president Patti Serrano said the district will be holding walk-in interviews.

Related: Hawaii Restores Nearly All School Bus Routes Cut By Driver Shortage
Related: Turning School Bus Driver Shortages Into Opportunities
Related: School Bus Driver Shortage Impacts Florida Districts
Related: (Recorded Webinar) Addressing Driver (& Bus) Shortages: 3 Creative and Measurable Strategies that Really Work

The post Arizona School District Increases Bus Driver Pay to Help with Shortage appeared first on School Transportation News.

A crash involving a Mars Area School District school bus in Pennsylvania that sent eight children to the hospital later resulted in the death of their driver.

The crash occurred in Butler County around 8:30 a.m. on March 7, when the bus transporting 20 students crashed into a tree. Two students were transported from the scene and eight were treated at the hospital along with the driver, identified as William “Bob” Miller.

All of the students were released after being treated, but Miller remained hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital.

The district released a statement confirming that Miller, who had been a bus driver for 10 years, had died. It is unclear what caused the crash and if Miller’s death was due to injuries suffered during the crash, another medical condition that contributed to the crash, or both.

According to local news reporters, one of the children who was supposed to be on the school bus that day was the son of Kelley Baumgartel. As they were waiting for the bus to get to the stop, Baumgartel said she saw it swerve off the road and hit the tree. After calling 911, she ran to the bus and found some of the children on board had begun to open the emergency door.

Baumgartel said she was unable to get to Miller but told reporters that something seemed to be wrong.

The investigation is ongoing.

Related: New York School Bus Crash Leaves One Dead, Others Injured
Related: School Bus Crash Leaves 2 Children Hospitalized, Bus Driver Dead
Related: Motorist Dead After Colliding with Ohio School Bus During Drop Off
Related: Four-Vehicle Crash Involving Missouri School Bus Leaves Two Dead, Students Injured

The post Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Dies as Result of Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

A crossing arm came down on a school bus in Freetown, Massachusetts, as a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) train passed by, reported ABC 6.

The incident reportedly occurred March 25, when a school bus transporting Freetown Lakeville Regional School District students stopped at the painted roadway railway crossing line to check for oncoming trains, as required by law. As the driver began to move forward, the crossing bells and lights came on.

The school bus driver reportedly reversed as the crossing arms hit the front of the bus. The train passed by about 45 seconds later. No one was injured at the time of the incident.

According to the news report, MBTA officials discussed the incident at a board meeting on March 27, claiming it resulted from human error.

The district said via the article that the bus company, which was not named in this writing, is in contact with the MBTA regarding the incident.

Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Massachusetts Woman Arrested After Nearly Hitting Child Boarding School Bus
Related: Operation Lifesaver Releases New Training Videos on School Buses, Railroad Crossings
Related: Operation STEER Hands-On School Bus Emergency Training Expands in Texas

The post Massachusetts School Bus Avoids Train Tragedy by Seconds appeared first on School Transportation News.

A man in Kanawha County was arrested after driving around a school bus that had its stop sign out and nearly striking a student.

The incident took place on March 14 at approximately 3:41 p.m., when Kevin W. Webster illegally passed a stopped school bus and nearly hit a child.

Initially, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office released a statement asking the public’s help in identifying the driver of a white Lincoln sedan that drove past a stopped Kanawha County school bus.

Authorities released another statement thanking the community for their support in the investigation. Ultimately, Webster was identified as the driver of the white Lincoln sedan.

Webster was arrested on March 15, with additional reports from the Saint Albans Police Department further placing him behind the wheel of that vehicle in separate incidents.

According to the statement, police obtained video surveillance showing Webster pulling into a 7-Eleven just moments before the incident, which led to his identification.

Through an interview with Webster, law enforcement officers collected additional evidence that led to an additional charge of driving under the influence (DUI) as a habitual drug user.

In addition to the DUI, Webster was charged with reckless driving, overtaking and passing a school bus, and driving with a suspended license.

Authorities emphasized the importance of stopping for school buses and encouraged the public to contact the department if they had any additional evidence.

Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology
Related: Ohio Bill Seeks School Bus Illegal Passing Fine Increase, Safety Fund
Related: Massachusetts Woman Charged After Illegally Passing School Bus, Critically Injuring Child
Related: Updated: Arkansas Man Arrested After Illegally Passing School Bus, Injuring Student

The post West Virginia Man Charged After Illegally Passing Stopped School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver inspired to give back to children in need, donated shoes to local organizations serving kids, reported Yahoo News.

Bryant School District bus driver Jo Cahill went the extra mile by donating 75 pairs of shoes to a local organization that serves children in need.

Cahill told local news reporters that she has seen students getting on her bus that don’t even have shoes or socks on in 12-degree weather.

Last month Cahill went into a store with the mindset of running in and out. However, after passing the shoe aisle, she saw the shoes were on sale for $1.

According to the article, Cahill, who has been a driver for 10 years, purchased every pair with no plan on what to do with them. She said she prayed and remembered her superintendent, Dr. Karen Walters, is a member of the local Rotary Club, which was accepting clothing donations for the Kids Closet.

The community service project provides free clothes to children since 2008. It is supported through donations from local people of Saline County and is specifically geared towards those living in the area.

Pat Baker, who runs the Kids Closet, told reporters that Cahill’s donation was a blessing. Workers were left putting up shoes for many weeks.

Both Kids Closet’s and Cahill’s mission is making sure each student knows they have value.

Related: Kentucky School Bus Driver Gifts Pajamas to Student Onboard Bus
Related: WATCH: South Carolina Bus Driver and Monitor Save Children from House Fire
Related: Illinois School Bus Driver Finds Teen Wandering Alone
Related: Wisconsin School Bus Driver Saves Girl from Choking

The post Arkansas School Bus Driver Donates Shoes to Local Organizations appeared first on School Transportation News.

Bullets struck a school bus while it was transporting students with special needs in the Bronx, New York, reported ABC 7.

The incident occurred on Friday just before 2:20 p.m. The minibus drove through gunfire and pulled up to an address located about half a mile away from where the shooting took place.

Jose Polanco, a coworker of the school bus driver, told local news reporters that the driver told him he kept driving because his first thought was to get the children somewhere safe.

The bus was reportedly struck at least three times. One bullet struck the back window and two struck the side of the bus. The bus was transporting half a dozen students with special needs. No one inside the bus was injured.

Police said four suspects, all wearing black, were shooting at each other and the school bus got caught in the crossfire.

The shooting took place near a playground, with a school just down the block. The name of the school was not reported, at this writing. Teachers said the shooting sent the school into lockdown, sheltering nervous students and staff in place for about 30 minutes past dismissal.

The suspects fled on foot. One was wearing white stripes and black plants. The investigation is ongoing.

Related: Ohio School Bus Transporting Multiple Students Hit by Gunfire
Related: Pennsylvania Student Arrested After Allegedly Bringing Gun on School Bus
Related: 15-year-old Shot and Killed While Getting Off School Bus in Georgia
Related: New York School Bus Struck by Bullet

The post New York School Bus Hit by Gunfire appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Kentucky school bus driver saves the day after he gifts a pair of pajamas to a student on board, reported Goodnews Network.

According to the article, a child identified as Levi was crying when his bus driver, 35-year-old Larry Farrish Jr., arrived at his stop to pick him up.

Farrish told local news reporters that he quickly asked the child what was wrong. It turned out that it was Pajama Day at Engelhard Elementary School, but Levi didn’t have any, so he was going to miss out on the fun.

After dropping Levi at school, Farrish, who has been both a truck driver and a correctional officer but found his calling with driving children to school, rushed to a store and bought some pajamas then hurried back to Engelhard and surprised Levi in class.

According to the article, Levi hugged the pajamas closely and thanked his bus driver for the gift.

Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Named “Hidden Hero” After Saving Student’s Life
Related: Colorado School Bus Driver Hailed Hero After Fire
Related: Durham School Services Bus Driver Pat King Recognized for Saving Life of Fellow Bus Monitor
Related: (STN Podcast E249) Mr. Bus Driver: Celebrating & Promoting the Yellow School Bus on Social Media

The post Kentucky School Bus Driver Gifts Pajamas to Student Onboard Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A 5-year-old died after being hit by a Granbury Independent School District school bus.

Granbury ISD released a statement confirming the death Monday of an Emma Roberson Early Learning Academy student. The student’s name was initially not released but a second statement released by the district indicated the family of Exodus Crockett granted permission. A vigil will be held March 20 with the boy’s viewing and funeral scheduled for March 21.

The district said it directly communicated with all the families of students that were on the bus when the incident occurred and is closely working with local law enforcement.

Authorities said the school bus was traveling northeast on Pecos River Drive when the driver stopped to pick up students. As the driver started to pull away, a child ran up from the right front side of the bus and was struck. No other students were injured.

“I know you share in the devastation of this loss and may have many questions. We all have the expectation that students will be safe on our buses and in our district. We are already working to fully understand the situation and will share more information after we have had the time to investigate the incident,” said Granbury ISD Superintendent Courtney Morawski.

It is unclear if the school bus driver is expected to face charges. The incident remains under investigation.

Related: Kindergartner Stuck and Killed by School Bus
Related: New York Student Struck and Killed by School Bus
Related: 7-year-old Struck and Fatally Injured in Canada
Related: Wisconsin Child Fatally Struck by Car While Waiting for School Bus

The post Texas Student Struck and Killed by School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A middle school student is facing charges after allegedly bringing a weapon onto a school bus in Grady County, Georgia, reported WCTV News.

According to the article, the student, who was not identified in this writing but attends Washington Middle School, is charged with possession of a weapon on school property and making terroristic threats. The district confirmed via Facebook the March 11 incident.

Duke Donaldson, chief of the Grady County School Resource Officers , reportedly assured parents the isolated incident was handled accordingly.

“It’s a zero tolerance for weapons on school property. If you’re making a threat of any sort to any kid, you’re going to be charged according,” he said via the article.

No students or adults were injured in the incident. Along with being charged, the student is also suspended from school.

Related: Pennsylvania Student Arrested After Allegedly Bringing Gun on School Bus
Related: Arizona Student Found with Gun on School Bus
Related: Iowa Student Found with BB Gun on School Bus
Related: North Carolina Student Arrested for Shooting Gun on School Bus

The post Georgia Middle School Student Faces Charges for Weapon on School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Two Camden County School District school buses and one car were involved in a crash that left seven injured in North Carolina.

The incident occurred March 7, when a teen motorist was driving a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and traveling westbound on Scotland Road alongside one of the buses. The second bus was traveling eastbound on the same road, according to a statement released by the district.

The teen motorist, who was not identified at this writing, crossed the center line and collided with the eastbound bus, causing the bus to then crash into the westbound bus.

Both bus drivers, the motorist and four children were injured during the crash. They were all transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to local news reports, the teen was charged with failure to maintain lane control.

Related: Over a Dozen Injured in a New Jersey School Bus Crash
Related: New York School Bus Crash Leaves One Dead, Others Injured
Related: Six Students Hospitalized in Massachusetts School Bus Crash
Related: Minnesota School Bus Driver Hailed Hero for Avoiding Head-On Crash With Semi

The post Three-Vehicle Crash Involving School Buses Leaves Seven Injured appeared first on School Transportation News.

More than a dozen people were injured after a school bus crashed on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, reported CBS News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 10 at approximately 7:30 p.m., when the Rabbinical School bus from Lakewood was heading to New York to attend a post-wedding celebration.

According to the news report, the school bus was seen on its side facing the wrong way on the highway and skid marks were visible on a nearby embankment. There was no immediate information on what caused the school bus to overturn.

The New Jersey State Police said via the article that 15 people, including the 44-year-old bus driver, were treated for injuries. One of the passengers suffered serious injuries. Police said in a statement the 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was pinned under the overturned bus.

The Woodcliff Lake Fire Department was the first to arrive at the scene said Mayor Mike Ghassali in a statement on Facebook. The Montvale Volunteer Fire Department and other firefighters that assisted, lifted the bus and rescued the 14-year-old boy [that was pinned under the bus] and 28 other boys along with two adults.

The 14-year-old, who is fighting for his life, the bus driver and 13 other boys were transported to local hospitals. Their current condition is unclear at this moment.

The crash remains under investigation.

Related: Alabama School Bus Driver Falls Asleep at Wheel, Crashes
Related: Six Students Hospitalized in Massachusetts School Bus Crash
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Struck, Killed by Another School Bus
Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

The post Over a Dozen Injured in a New Jersey School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver is dead after a crash involving two school buses in New York.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office released a statement March 7 confirming the fatal crash between two Holland Patent School District school buses.

According to the statement, one of the school buses operated by Michael J. Page, 57, was transporting three students when he crossed the center line into the path of an oncoming school bus for the same district.

The second bus, operated by Jean C. Marsden, 58, was transporting two students in the second Holland Patent School District school bus.

Marsden was pronounced dead at the scene. The two students on her bus were transported to Wynn Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Page was also transported to the hospital for a foot injury, and the three students on his bus were all evaluated at the scene before being signed over to their parents.

The crash is still under investigation. But authorities indicated the weather conditions of wind-blown snow appeared to be a factor.

Related: New York Mother and Child Struck by School Bus Following Drop-Off
Related: 79-Year-Old, 9-Year-Old Struck by School Bus in New York
Related: South Dakota Teen Bicyclist Dead After School Bus Crash
Related: Motorist Dead After Colliding with Ohio School Bus During Drop Off

The post New York School Bus Crash Leaves One Dead, Others Injured appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Mason County school bus driver was indicted after allegedly driving a bus under the influence of drugs with students on board, reported WOWK News. 

The incident reportedly occurred last April, when a 911 call was placed about a school bus driver who was driving erratically and in the opposite lane with students on board. The caller also claimed that the driver made several wrong turns and was falling asleep at the wheel.  

A blood analysis the police reportedly took from the bus driver, 54-year-old Leslie Watterson, revealed she had taken three different drugs that affect the central nervous system. Watterson was arrested in May of on warrants filed by West Virginia State Police.  

According to the news report, Watterson was indicted March 5 on 54 counts of gross child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury and one count of DUI with minors. The three drugs in her system were identified to be Phentermine, Oxazepam and Temazepam.

Related: Massachusetts School Van Driver Faces DUI, Child Endangerment Charges
Related: Round Up: School Bus Drivers Arrested for DUIs
Related: North Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI
Related: Vermont School Bus Driver Arrested Due to Crash on Suspicion of DUI

The post West Virginia School Bus Driver Indicted For DUI appeared first on School Transportation News.

A 7-year-old student was left on his school bus earlier after falling asleep, reported Fox 8.

The incident reportedly occurred March 3, when Michael Windle received a call from Coventry Local School District, informing him that his son had been left on a school bus. The child had fallen asleep and did not exit the vehicle with the other students.

Windle claimed the bus driver left and was unaware that his son was still on the bus. No one found the child immediately and he was left on the bus for about an hour unattended in 25-degree weather. Once the boy was located, he was reportedly taken to school. Windle said he was mad and angry, as any father would be.

The district said via the news report that it was grateful the student was safe and upon learning of the situation, district officials launched an investigation to determine how this occurred. The school bus driver has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Additionally, the district reportedly confirmed they have “clear procedures” in place requiring drivers to conduct “post-route checks” to ensure all students have exited the bus. They are now reviewing those safety protocols with all transportation staff to prevent a future incident similar to this one.

Windle told local news reporters the district seemed sincerely upset over the incident. The district stated they are in direct communication with the family and will provide any necessary support.

Related: 6-Year-Old Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Illinois Preschooler Left in School Bus for Hours
Related: Georgia Students Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Louisiana Child Left Alone in School Bus for 5 Hours

The post Ohio Student Left on School Bus, Parent Speaks Out appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus transporting 10 students in Sherbon, Massachusetts, veered off the road after the driver suffered a medical emergency.

The Sherborn Fire and Rescue Department released a statement Thursday confirming that the crash occurred when the school bus driver was dropping students off from school.

The driver, who was not identified at this writing, had reportedly come to a complete stop and was driving slowly when they experienced a medical emergency, causing the school bus to crash into trees.

There were no other injuries reported. All the students were checked by medical professionals at the scene and released to their parents shortly after. The school bus driver was transported to a local hospital, and their condition was unknown at this report.

A student told local news reporters that the school driver hit the curb before crashing into a pole and then a tree. Neighbors witnessed the incident and rushed to help evacuate the students.

The Sherborn Fire and Rescue Department posted photos of the scene on their social media. The incident remains under investigation.

Related: Maine School Bus Driver Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency
Related: Alabama School Bus Driver Falls Asleep at Wheel, Crashes
Related: Minnesota School Bus Driver Hailed Hero for Avoiding Head-On Crash With Semi
Related: School Bus Driver’s Quick Actions Save Student in Louisiana Crash

The post Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency appeared first on School Transportation News.

An Alabama school bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel while transporting 14 students last month, reported WCSC 5.

The incident reportedly occurred on Feb. 12, when 47-year-old Angela Lane Weaver fell asleep while driving. This caused the bus to run off the road, hit a ditch and tree before overturning on Mason Ferry Road.

According to the news report, seven of the 14 students being transported at the time of the crash were injured. The extent of their injuries and the current conditions of the students is unclear.

The district told local news reporters that the driver was placed on administrative leave immediately after the incident based on information they had at the time. Weaver then briefly returned to work. Now that the district received new information, the driver was placed back on administrative leave, where she remained as of this report. The investigation wass ongoing, and the district said it will determine further disciplinary action.

Weaver had allegedly been issued three speeding tickets in the last four years, all for going more than 19 miles per hour over the speed limit. Additionally, a previous crash report revealed that she admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel in 2021.

Related: New Jersey School Bus Driver Falls Asleep, Crashes into Home
Related: Ohio School Bus Overturns After Hitting Ditch, Two Students Injured
Related: Minnesota School Bus Driver Hailed Hero for Avoiding Head-On Crash With Semi
Related: Iowa Students Help School Bus Driver During Medical Episode

The post Alabama School Bus Driver Falls Asleep at Wheel, Crashes appeared first on School Transportation News.