Ten people were taken to a hospital following a crash involving a school bus and a passenger vehicle in Staten Island’s Brighton Heights neighborhood, reported Silive News.

According to the news report, the collision occurred Monday at approximately 7:45 a.m. Police said a school bus was traveling eastbound when it collided with a car driven by a 49-year-old man who was attempting to merge into traffic from a parked position. The details are based on preliminary information provided by the New York Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The crash reportedly involved 12 people on board the bus, including 11 children and one adult. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the incident and evaluated those involved at the scene. Ten patients were transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton for further evaluation. Authorities did not immediately specify how many of those taken to the hospital were children or adults, nor did they provide details about the severity of any injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. No arrests have been reported, and police did not immediately release the identities of those involved.

Morning traffic in the area was affected as emergency crews responded to the scene and worked to clear the vehicles from the roadway. Officials have not indicated whether the school bus was able to continue its route or whether alternative transportation arrangements were made for students.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash
Related: Terrifying Moments for Father, Son When Pickup Crashes into NY School Bus
Related: Stolen School Bus Crashed by Michigan Man Out on Bond
Related: Update: Tennessee Crash Kills 2 Students During Field Trip

The post 10 Taken to Hospital After School Bus, Car Crash in New York appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Miami-Dade County school bus driver has been arrested after authorities said she left a sleeping 6-year-old boy unattended on a school bus, allowing him to wander through a Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood before being found by a Good Samaritan, reported WSVN News.

Patricia Barberena, 62, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with child neglect, according to the news report. Authorities said the incident occurred after Barberena picked up the child from a day care facility and was supposed to transport him to school.

Investigators said via the article that the boy fell asleep during the ride and remained on the bus when it arrived at the school. Rather than conducting a post-route inspection, Barberena allegedly drove the bus to her residence, parked it and went inside without checking whether any students were still on board.

The child later woke up, exited the bus, and reportedly began walking through the neighborhood alone. Investigators estimated the wandering child was unsupervised for approximately 15 minutes before a passerby noticed him and contacted authorities.

School officials reportedly became aware of the situation when the child failed to arrive at school as expected. According to investigators, the school contacted Barberena after noticing the student was missing. Barberena then left her residence and began searching for the child.

During a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Barberena reportedly admitted she did not inspect the bus before leaving it parked at her home.

The child was safely located, and no injuries were reported. Barberena appeared in bond court following her arrest, where a judge found probable cause for the charge and set her bond at $2,500. It was not immediately clear whether Barberena remained employed following her arrest. The incident remains under investigation.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: California Student Left Alone in Hot School Bus
Related: 6-Year-Old Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Georgia Students Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Florida Bus Driver Rescues 2-Year-old Wandering Alone

The post Wandering Child in Neighborhood Prompts Arrest of Florida School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver contracted to transport students for the Rantoul City School District in Illinois has been arrested on allegations of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, reported WCIA News.

According to the news report, 35-year-old Illinois school bus driver Johnnie C. McClendon Jr. was taken into custody May 28 following an investigation conducted by the Rantoul Police Department. Police said McClendon was arrested without incident.

McClendon is employed by First Student Inc., the transportation company contracted to provide bus services for the district, said police via the article.

“At this time, investigators have received no allegations of misconduct related to his employment, and the investigation appears to involve matters unrelated to his position with the company,” the police department said in a statement to local news reporters.

Police reportedly declined to release additional details, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved. Court records had not been updated as of Friday to reflect formal charges filed by the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office. McClendon remained in custody following his initial court appearance.

Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods said district officials were notified by police of the arrest and immediately contacted First Student regarding the driver’s status.

“We have confirmed with First Student that the individual will not be driving for our school district in future,” Woods said in a letter sent to families.

Woods said district officials have been informed that the allegations are not related to McClendon’s conduct while driving a school bus. However, he noted the district has not received information indicating whether the alleged conduct involved a student enrolled in the district.

“We take all matters involving the safety and well-being of children extremely seriously and are monitoring the situation closely,” Woods wrote. “Student safety remains our highest priority.”

The district said it will continue cooperating with law enforcement and communicating with First Student as appropriate.

Police encouraged anyone who may have experienced inappropriate conduct, whether related to the case or otherwise, to contact the Rantoul Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.

Related: Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 16 Years for Sexual Assault
Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged After Alleged Failure to Stop Assaults
Related: Sexual Assault on School Transportation Vehicles: A Call for Action

The post Illinois School Bus Driver Arrested Following Child Sexual Assault Allegation appeared first on School Transportation News.

A fight between two students on a Baldwin-Whitehall School District school bus near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania sent a sixth grader to the hospital and led to a simple assault charge against an eighth-grade student, according to police and the victim’s family, reported WPXI News.

The incident reportedly happened when students from Harrison Middle School were riding home from school. Video recorded by other students captured part of the altercation.

Jason Scanlon told local news reporters that his son, Jacen, had been dealing with alleged bullying for months before the fight escalated. “It became a group thing, making my son extremely uncomfortable until it became something physical, which I knew was coming,” Scanlon said. “The school was warned it was coming multiple times.”

Fight on the School Bus

According to the news report, the fight began after his son argued with a younger girl, who is related to the eighth grader accused in the attack, at school. “It was a Tuesday, he went to school, apparently got into a little bit of an argument with this younger girl who ended up being the sister of the child who attacked him,” Scanlon said via the article.

Whitehall police reportedly said the older student, who was wearing a cast, punched Jacen during the fight. “He’s wearing a cast and the first punch he throws is at my son’s nose with a cast,” Scanlon told reporters.

The bus driver stopped the bus and called 911. Police and emergency crews responded, and Jacen was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital. His injuries included a broken nose and a mild concussion, according to his father.

Whitehall police filed a simple assault charge against the eighth-grade student. Scanlon said he repeatedly contacted school administrators before the incident. “Emails, meetings, phone calls, multiple times. I went to [them] for help,” he said of prior attempts to report the alleged bullying.

Baldwin-Whitehall Superintendent Dr. Randal Lutz said via the article that the situation involved “two students who chose to engage in a fight” and noted both students had opportunities to de-escalate. Jacen received a three-day suspension. District officials said the eighth-grade student also faced disciplinary action, though they did not disclose specific consequences. Both students have since returned to class.

Related: Bus Stop Fight Claims Life of 12-year-old Georgia Girl
Related: Boston School Bus Fight Results in Five People Hospitalized
Related: Indiana 15-year-old Accused of Sexual Assault on Ohio School Bus
Related: Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested

The post Alleged Bullying Incident Leads to School Bus Fight, Student Hospitalization appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Citrus County man was arrested May 21 after he pulled a handgun on a substitute school bus driver at a designated bus stop, reported Fox 13.

According to the news report, Otoniel Carlos O’Valle, who also goes by “Oto,” drove to the school bus stop May 22 in an blue Chevrolet Blazer shortly before 8:10 a.m. Investigators said he approached the open door of the school bus, removed a black handgun from his waistband and asked the driver if she was the regular bus operator.

The substitute driver told O’Valle she was filling in for the regular driver. Deputies said O’Valle told the woman it was her “lucky day” before placing the firearm into his front pocket.

O’Valle reportedly explained he was upset because the regular bus driver had allegedly yelled at his children during a previous interaction. A bus aide later confirmed there had been tension involving the regular driver and O’Valle’s children.

The incident was reported to a school resource officer at Citrus Springs Elementary School, prompting an investigation by the sheriff’s office major crimes unit.

Authorities said detectives reviewed onboard audio and video from the school bus security system. The footage captured the substitute driver identifying the object as a firearm when O’Valle approached the bus. Detectives also said the video showed O’Valle holding an object consistent with a handgun before placing it into his pocket.

The sheriff’s office has not publicly released the audio or video footage from the bus.

Sheriff David Vincent said his agency takes immediate action on threats involving schools, students, or staff members.

“Anyone who threatens or brings harm toward a Citrus County school, its staff, or our children, will face an immediate and uncompromising response from law enforcement,” Vincent said in a statement. “We will not allow anyone to endanger the safety of our students or the people who protect them.” The investigation is ongoing.

Related: Loaded Gun On South Carolina School Bus Leads to Quick Arrest
Related: Florida Man Arrested After Boarding School Bus, Threatening Driver
Related: South Carolina Man Arrested for Allegedly Pointing Gun at School Bus
Related: Man Arrested for Throwing Rock at School Bus, Fracturing 8-Year-Old Girl’s Skull

The post Man Accused of Pulling Handgun on Florida School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Maryland school bus driver is planning to buy his mother a new home after winning a $5 million prize from a Maryland Lottery scratch-off ticket, reported ABC News.

Maurice Williams of Hyattsville said he purchased the winning ticket at a 7-Eleven while headed to work, according to the news report.

Williams reportedly bought the $5 million winning ticket using money he had won from another lottery ticket earlier, turning a previous small victory into a life-changing jackpot.

“One lottery ticket later,” Williams told local news reporters, “I was a multi-millionaire.”

“The winning ticket came from the Maryland Lottery’s $5 million LUXE scratch-off game, which still has two top prizes remaining.

Williams said  he was overwhelmed when he realized he had won the game’s top prize. “I just sat there stuck, I mean, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I had to get my head straight.”

Williams reportedly told lottery officials he almost missed the life-changing win. “I didn’t notice I had a matching number at first, until I scanned it,” he said. “It’s crazy because the matching number was 59 and I just turned 59 the other day.”

After confirming the win, Williams immediately shared the news of his $5 million lottery payout with his mother. He said one of his first major purchases will be a new home for her.

Related: Kentucky School Bus Driver Retires After Winning Lottery Ticket
Related: North Carolina School Bus Driver Wins Lottery
Related: Children’s Books by School Bus Drivers Double as Safety Education Tool
Related: $250K in Funds Awarded to Train New Pennsylvania School Bus Drivers

The post $5 Million Lottery Payout for Maryland School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

An upstate New York school bus driver has been fired after video allegedly shows him repeatedly slamming on the brakes and yelling at student riders during his route, reported KTTC News.

Sarah and Matt Martineau, whose three children attend schools in the Boquet Valley Central School District, said their daughter first told them in early March that the driver had been “brake-checking” students during a bus ride.

Video obtained by local news reporters from cameras inside and outside the bus appeared to support the children’s account. Speed data from the footage showed the bus slowing by nearly 10 mph during the brake-checking, or sudden braking incidents. Students were seen jolting forward in their seats, while exterior footage showed no vehicles immediately in front of the bus.

The Martineaus said their son later complained of neck pain after an incident. According to the parents, the boy stood up and moved into the aisle to sit near his sister when the driver allegedly brake-checked again.

“I had told her to have him go sit with her to make sure he was OK, and as he got up to go sit with her, the bus driver brake checked the bus again and then started screaming at him,” Sarah told local news reporters

School Bus Video Tells the Tale

The video also appeared to show the driver arguing with a student and suggesting the braking was related to students not following directions. “There’s no need for anyone to drive a vehicle of that size to brake check for any reason,” Matt Martineau said.

Matt Martineau reportedly said he contacted the district superintendent, who acknowledged there had been inappropriate yelling and braking but considered the braking justified.

After weeks without further action, the Martineaus raised their concerns during a school board meeting in late April. Five days later, the school board voted unanimously to fire the driver, identified as Jeremy Ward. District officials did not provide details about the dismissal. School officials declined immediate comments to reporters.

Related: Arizona School Bus Driver Fired After Transporting People Illegally
Related: Rhode Island School Bus Driver, Safety Monitors Fired for Leaving Student in Bus
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged After Alleged Failure to Stop Assaults
Related: New York School Bus Aide Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Children

The post Alleged Brake-Checking Results in Firing of New York School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Michigan man already free on bond in a separate assault case is accused of stealing a decommissioned school bus, crashing it into a tree and ditch, and fleeing on foot, reported Mlive News.

Andre Weston, 21, of Carrollton Township, was charged May 11 with unlawfully driving a motor vehicle, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Police said Weston left the adult foster care facility where he lives around 8 p.m. May 8 without authorization. Staff at the facility in the 800 block of Piper Drive reported him missing about 90 minutes later.

As officers headed to the facility, a call came in around 9:45 p.m. from a homeowner on Lincoln Street reporting that a school bus had become stuck in his front yard.

The homeowner reportedly told police he noticed the stolen school bus driving down the residential street late at night and thought it seemed unusual. The bus later began backing down the road before veering into the yard, striking a tree and becoming lodged in a ditch.

The driver then exited through the back door and ran toward Mapleridge Road. Officers later found Weston near Carrollton High School, about a half-mile from the crash site.

Alleged Stolen Bus Taken from Contractor

After being advised of his rights, Weston admitted to stealing the bus from the high school parking lot, police said via the news report. The stolen school bus had been decommissioned and recently purchased from the school district by contractor Dean Transportation. Investigators said the vehicle had been left unsecured with the keys inside.

A tow truck was required to remove the bus from the ditch, and police are reportedly reviewing surveillance footage to determine exactly when the bus was taken. Weston was arraigned Monday in Saginaw County District Court before Judge M. Randall Jurrens.

At the time of the incident, Weston was free on bond in a separate case filed in March charging him with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors allege he assaulted two female staff members at the foster care facility where he lives. A preliminary examination on the new charge is scheduled for May 26.

Related: Stolen Bus Driven from Kentucky School District to Nearby Store
Related: A Major Crash in Louisiana Involving a Stolen School Bus
Related: Alabama Stolen School Bus Found, Man Charged
Related: Teen Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends with School Bus Crash

The post Stolen School Bus Crashed by Michigan Man Out on Bond appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Madison County father and son are recounting the frightening moments after a pickup truck slammed into a stopped school bus, sending debris flying and leaving multiple people injured, reported WKTV News.

According to the news report, the crash happened May 7 at around 7:15 a.m. on Route 20 in front of the Rutkowski family home in Bouckville. Jeremiah Rutkowski, a high school junior, had just walked outside to board the Madison Central School District bus, when he saw the truck approaching.

“I just figured like if that thing’s not going to stop, it’s either going to hit the bus and something’s coming flying at me or the entire truck is coming flying at me,” Jeremiah told local news reporters.

Security video from the home and shared across social media showed the school bus stopped on the roadside as Jeremiah walked toward it, moments before the collision. He quickly jumped back to avoid debris as the truck crashed into the rear of the bus, pushing it farther down the road.

Jeremiah ran back onto the porch while his father, Matt Rutkowski, rushed outside after hearing what he described as the sound of “crunching metal.”

“[My] first priority was to make sure my son was safe and good,” Matt Rutkowski said. “Opening that door, wasn’t sure what would happen, so big sigh of relief. That’s why I instantly gave him a hug.”

Minor Injuries Reported

State Police said 23 students and the bus driver were aboard the bus. The 29-year-old bus driver and two students were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. An adult and two children were inside the pickup truck. The adult was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and later issued numerous tickets for distraction and following too closely.

Matt Rutkowski said he was relieved to find the bus driver alert and students safely exiting the vehicle. He called 911 and, along with passing motorists, helped manage the scene until emergency crews arrived.

Jeremiah said he initially froze in shock before focusing on comforting one of the children from the truck. “Once one of the kids was out of the truck and needed comforting and was sent to the porch, my brain just sort of kicked into that child caring mode,” he said via the report.

Jeremiah, who works as a camp counselor, said his experience helping children took over during the chaotic aftermath. Both father and son said they were grateful no one suffered serious injuries.

“My first thought was for him, then just went through everyone else,” Matt said. “It really makes you appreciate the moment.”

Related: Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash
Related: Oklahoma School Bus Carrying Softball Team Crashes, Injuring 7
Related: Three-Vehicle Crash Involving School Buses Leaves Seven Injured
Related: Louisiana Child Hit by Truck, 19-Year-Old Driver Arrested

The post Terrifying Moments for Father, Son When Pickup Crashes into NY School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus hit and killed a 9-year-old boy in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, prompting renewed calls from residents and city leaders for safety improvements at a busy intersection, reported ABC News 7.

According to the news report, police identified the child as Yoel Jacobowitz. He was crossing the street May 1 on his way to school, when the school bus hit him around 8:15 a.m. in South Williamsburg.

Investigators said a private Yeshiva school bus was turning onto Lorimer Street at the time. The 49-year-old driver, who was not identified at this reportg, initially continued driving after hitting the child. The driver then returned to the scene once alerted of the school bus hit the boy. Jacobowitz was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges had been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The crash stunned members of the neighborhood’s Orthodox Jewish community, many of whom gathered nearby in prayer and mourning while expressing frustration over traffic conditions and street safety.

Traffic Patterns, Congestion Blamed

“The traffic here is crazy. There needs to be some guidance and some rules,” one resident told local news reporters.

Residents said the intersection has become increasingly hazardous, especially because of ongoing construction work that has left the area without clearly marked crosswalks and street markings.

“It’s a very, very busy intersection,” another community member said. “We have a lot going on, a lot of stores and a lot of people crossing over. We need something to be done so this doesn’t keep happening.”

Witnesses and neighbors described the area as especially crowded May 1 as families prepared for Shabbat.

City leaders urged the New York City Department of Transportation to examine signal timing and consider immediate changes to improve conditions for pedestrians. Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly said that he was “devastated” by the child’s death and called the crash “a painful reminder” of the need to make city streets safer for pedestrians.

Related: N.Y. Child Struck, Killed by School Bus
Related: 14-Year-Old Struck by School Bus in New Jersey
Related: Massachusetts Student Struck, Killed by School Bus
Related: Louisiana Student Struck and Killed by School Bus

The post School Bus Hits, Kills 9-Year-Old Boy in New York City appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Long Island teenager and his mother are being praised after helping rescue a neighbor from a house fire while the boy waited for his school bus, reported People News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 31 when Jovani Moss, 15, heard “crackling” of flames coming from a house across the street from his family’s residence in Melville, New York.

“I didn’t notice the fire at first,” Moss told local news reporters. “But I heard the crackling of the fire, and I turned to look and called my mom.”

Moss said he immediately alerted his mother, Natechia Moss, and asked whether he should go to the house or call 911.

Natechia reportedly instructed her son to contact emergency responders while she rushed outside her house to warn the homeowner. She repeatedly rang the doorbell but got no response and thus began kicking the door until it partially opened. “I kept kicking the door,” she said via the article “Finally, I got it ajar a little bit, and all of a sudden, I saw her standing there and I grabbed her and said, ‘Your house is on fire!’”

The homeowner had reportedly attempted to re-enter the burning residence to retrieve her cat and jewelry before eventually escaping safely. Firefighters from the Melville Fire Department responded to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Moss has since been hailed as a hero for reacting quickly, though the teen downplayed the attention. “A lot of people calling me a hero,” he said via the report. “I was like, ‘I’m not really a hero. I’m just being a good neighbor.”

He credited his mother with setting the example and teaching him to stay aware of his surroundings.

“Take out the ear pods. Keep your phone in your pocket until you get on that bus,” Natechia said of the advice she gives her son. “Always be aware.”

Melville Fire Chief Donald Barclay praised the family’s actions. “We are thankful no one was hurt and that Jovani did the right thing and helped his neighbor. The world needs more Jovani,” said Barclay via the article. He also commended the department’s volunteer firefighters, saying the incident reflected “the idea of helping your neighbor in multiple ways.”

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Evacuated Family Grateful Georgia School Bus Driver Sees House Fire
Related: California Student Honored for Quick Thinking During School Bus Fire
Related: California Farmworkers Hailed as Heroes After Rescuing 20 Children from Burning School Bus
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Catches Fire

The post ‘Crackling’ House Fire Alerts Teen While Waiting for School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A North Greene alum and Marine Corps veteran was the first to assist students and staff after a school bus rollover Wednesday in Illinois. He helped guide passengers to safety before emergency crews arrived, reported My Journal Courier.

Kendrick Ballard, 44, of Jerseyville, said via the news report that he was driving his 12-year-old stepson to White Hall Park when they came upon the crash scene.

“The bus was on its side, and I knew the kids needed assistance getting out there and out of there as quickly as possible,” the ex-Marine told local news.

According to the article, Ballard immediately pulled over and began helping students exit the bus and moved them away from the roadway. Video recorded by his stepson shows Ballard directing students to safety and assisting them as they exited through the rear doors.

Rollover Crash Could Have Been Far Worse

Eleven students and one staff member were reportedly injured in the rollover crash. Ballard said most of the injuries appeared minor.

“There were some kids with some scrapes, and they were bleeding a little bit, but from what I saw, most of them were just really shook up,” he continued.

Ballard said he was unaware his stepson had begun recording video until later. The footage was subsequently shared with local media by a community member, who praised the ex-Marine’s willingness to act.

Ballard credited first responders and school staff, emphasizing their quick response. “It was a bad situation, but the first responders were fantastic, and North Greene’s teachers and staff were fantastic, too,” he said.

The incident reportedly marks at least the second time Ballard has been recognized for assisting others in an emergency. In 2010, the Marine Corps veteran helped rescue a woman and her two children from a car trapped in floodwaters in Springfield.

“I would like to think it was a natural instinct to go and save someone who was in trouble,” Ballard said at the time.

Related: ‘Hero’ Teacher Praised by Parent Florida School Bus Crash Evacuation
Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Named “Hidden Hero” After Saving Student’s Life
Related: Colorado School Bus Driver Hailed Hero After Fire
Related: Oklahoma Student Hailed Hero After Helping Bus Driver During Medical Emergency

The post Ex-Marine Helps Students After School Bus Rollover appeared first on School Transportation News.

A long-time school bus driver retired on his birthday, after logging more than more than five decades behind the wheel, marking the end of a career that spanned generations of students, reported WMTV15 News.

Jerry Radke, who started driving in 1973, completed his final route March 3 after 54 years with Reedsburg Area School District.

“I love driving. I’m so used to driving, I feel lost if I’m not driving,” Radke said via the news report.

The Wisconsin school bus driver was reportedly working on his family farm and hauling milk as a truck driver when a school transportation director approached him about the job.

“To be honest with you, I never applied for this job,” Radke said. “He came out to my farm and asked if I’d be interested in a bus route.”

Radke took the position and balanced driving with farm work for years, milking cows each morning before starting his route. Over the decades, he transported thousands of students, including multiple generations of the same families. Some parents said Radke once drove them to school and later drove their children.

“He’s driven them all,” Jessica Oetzman of Loganville told local news reporters.

Radke said, adding that he decided to retire because of his age and concern for student safety.

“Because I’m 87 years old and you just never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Number one is to keep the kids safe.”

Retired Wisconsin School Bus Driver Found Solace Behind the Wheel

Driving also helped him cope with the personal loss of his wife in 2002. “It satisfied my soul,” Radke said. “If I wouldn’t have kept driving, I wouldn’t be here anymore.”

Students, staff, and community members marked his final day with celebrations. A high school band performed “Happy Birthday,” and residents gathered with signs and balloons along his route. “He is such a wonderful man,” Oetzman said.

The retired Wisconsin school bus drive said he plans to spend more time with family.

“I miss this already,” he said. “It’s going to be very different.”

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Retired Man Now Drives a School Bus and Sings to Children
Related: Dedicated North Carolina School Bus Driver Retires After 45 years of Service
Related: Atlanta School Bus Driver Retires After 32 Years of Service
Related: Iowa Student Saves Mom with Handwritten Note to School Bus Driver

The post Wisconsin School Bus Driver Retires After 54 Years Behind the Wheel appeared first on School Transportation News.

A parent is calling a kindergarten teacher a hero after he helped children escape a school bus following a crash April 2, near the Jacksonville Zoo, reported News 4 Jax.

Mandy Rubin spoke at a Duval County school board meeting, recounting the moments after a semi-truck rear-ended a bus carrying about 30 San Pablo elementary school students.

Rubin reportedly said teacher Franz Lerch helped keep her son calm and safely freed him from his seat in the chaotic aftermath of the crash.

“Mr. Lerch, in an extreme moment of crisis, was calm and collected, keeping my child calm while he worked to cut him loose from his seat,” Rubin said.

She urged district leaders to formally recognize Lerch, calling his actions selfless and courageous.

“He’s a hero in every sense of that word,” Rubin stated. “I also know that he would not single himself out. I know that any teacher would have acted similarly without thought for themselves. Because, to a public-school teacher, any child is their child.”

Student Injuries Could Have Been Worse Without Hero’s Actions

Her comments reportedly drew applause from those attending the meeting. Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier also addressed the crash during the meeting, acknowledging staff at San Pablo Elementary School. He recognized the school’s assistant principal for stepping in to help lead the campus while the principal went to the hospital following the incident.

Four children were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital, while a fifth person was also transported. Reported injuries include two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Officials have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.

According to the article, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at railroad tracks and attempted to brake, but said his brakes were not working. The driver reportedly swerved in an attempt to avoid the bus but was unable to prevent the collision.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as families and school officials continue to recover from the incident.

Related: New York School Bus Driver Dies After Medical Emergency
Related: Brother and Sister Help Save School Bus Driver During Medical Emergency in Ohio
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency

Editor’s Note: The article states “cut the seats.” STN inferred the article is relating to seatbelts, especially as Florida law requires the lap restraints. 

The post ‘Hero’ Teacher Praised by Parent Florida School Bus Crash Evacuation appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver in Cape Cod town suffered a “life-threatening” medical emergency, causing a crash that sent the school bus carrying 26 students into a tree, reported CBS News.

The crash reportedly occurred April 13 at around 8:40 a.m. near an intersection n Mashpee, a town of about 15,000 people in Barnstable County.

Mashpee police said the school bus driver experienced an apparent medical episode while transporting students, ages 6 to 12, to school. The bus came to a stop after striking a tree on the side of the road. Photos from the scene showed a cracked windshield and front-end damage.

The bus driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with what was described as a life-threatening condition. Authorities did not release the bus driver’s name or provide further details about the medical emergency.

One student was transported to Falmouth Hospital as a precaution. No serious injuries among the children were reported. Mashpee Superintendent Michele Conners said via the article that the bus, identified as M11, was on route to Quashnet Intermediate School and Kenneth C. Coombs School at the time of the crash.

“We are very thankful that no students were seriously injured,” Conners said via the news report. “Our thoughts are with the driver, who has been a valued member of our transportation team, as she receives medical care. “Conners also thanked first responders for their swift actions.

School district representatives did not respond to a School Transportation News email asking for an update on the school bus driver’s condition.

School officials reportedly said counselors and support staff are being made available to assist students who may have been shaken by the incident. The Mashpee Police Department is investigating the crash. Authorities have not indicated whether any additional factors contributed to the incident beyond the reported medical emergency.

Related: Oregon School Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Field Trip Crash
Related: New York School Bus Driver Dies After Medical Emergency
Related: Brother and Sister Help Save School Bus Driver During Medical Emergency in Ohio
Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency

The post Massachusetts Bus Driver Suffers Life-Threatening Emergency with 26 Students On Board appeared first on School Transportation News.

An Ohio veteran known for a simple daily gesture has brightened the lives of generations of schoolchildren. He received an unforgettable tribute for his 95th birthday, reported WLWT 5.

According to the news report, residents organized a school bus parade to pass by the home of Bob Jones, who for nearly two decades has made a habit of standing outside and waving as buses drive past. The surprise celebration turned the tables on Jones, whose friendly routine has long brought smiles to students and drivers alike.

As the line of buses rolled by last week, many children waved back enthusiastically, some opening windows to call out greetings to the man they know as “Mr. Bob.”

“I wave at the kids and bus drivers, and they wave back,” Jones told local news reporters. “A lot of people in the cars wave, and the kids roll the windows down and then holler, ‘Mr. Bob.’ Some of them say, ‘I love you.’”

Community Shares in Appreciation

Neighbors said the outpouring of affection reflects the impact Jones has had on the community. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a daily tradition that connects him with multiple generations of local families.

Shelly Tipton, a nearby resident, reportedly said her sister drives a school bus along the route and has witnessed firsthand how students respond to Jones. “This is the second or third generation of students that are coming by, and that we’ll say hi to him as they go past,” Tipton said.

She described Jones as a role model whose consistency and warmth have made a lasting impression on young people.

The birthday school bus parade was organized by community members who wanted to show appreciation for Jones’ years of positivity and service, both as a veteran and as a neighbor. For many, the event was a chance to give back to someone who has quietly given so much.

As the buses passed and horns sounded, Jones stood smiling and waving, just as he had for years. Only this time, the celebration was all for him.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: California’s Top School Bus Drivers Honored
Related: Students on Iowa School Bus Celebrate Daily Greeter’s Birthday
Related: Texas Grandmother Receives Birthday Greetings from School Bus Riders
Related: Brother and Sister Help Save School Bus Driver During Medical Emergency in Ohio

The post School Bus Parade Honors 95-Year-Old Veteran Who Greets Students Daily appeared first on School Transportation News.

A semi-truck driver says his brakes failed moments before he rear-ended a school bus carrying about 30 kindergarteners on a field trip April 9, reported News 4 Jax.

According to the news report, the Duval County school bus was transporting students from San Pablo Elementary School to the Jacksonville Zoo. It stopped at railroad tracks when it was struck from behind by the semi.

Four children were reportedly taken to the hospital with injuries. Injuries included two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Authorities have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.

According to the report, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at the tracks and attempted to brake but said his, “brakes were not working.” The driver swerved in an effort to avoid the collision but was unable to stop in time. He was cited for careless driving. Investigators noted he was not distracted at the time of the crash.

Investigation Into Vehicle Records

Dalya Farah, an attorney representing the families of three injured students, said the focus now shifts to the truck’s condition and maintenance history.

“We will most likely inspect the truck. There’s a lot of information on semi-trucks that we can’t obtain otherwise,” Farah said via the article.

She added that inspection records and maintenance logs will be critical in determining whether mechanical failure played a role or if other factors contributed. “When it comes to a semi case, there could be a lot of factors that go into fault,” she said.

Records reviewed by local news reporters show five other crashes linked to the trucking company, Universal Logistics Holdings, over the past two years. It is unclear whether the same semi-truck driver was involved or who was at fault in those incidents. The company has also undergone 74 inspections during that period, though that figure may include its entire fleet.

A company manager declined to comment when contacted by local news reporters, the article states.

Investigators continue to examine whether mechanical issues, including possible brake failure, contributed to the crash.

Written with assistance from AI.

Related: Oregon School Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Field Trip Crash
Related: Florida Man’s School Bus Crash Claim Highlights Limits of Government Immunity
Related: Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Dies as Result of Crash
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash

The post Semi-truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Florida School Bus Crash appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Lynchburg school bus driver has been arrested for alleged child strangulation during an incident on a bus parked at an elementary school, reported WDBJ 7.

Police responded to an incident at Linkhorne Elementary School March 30, after receiving a report of a disorderly individual. An investigation later determined that a school bus driver allegedly assaulted a student while the bus was parked in the schools lot.

Authorities said via the article that the investigation, conducted in coordination with Lynchburg City Schools, revealed the student had been strangled during the encounter. The child did not suffer life-threatening injuries from the alleged strangulation and is considered safe.

Effie Wynn, 73, of Lynchburg, was arrested April 4, and charged with child strangulation and neglect. She is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

Police did not release additional details about what led to the incident or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. Officials also did not say whether other students were present on the bus at the time.

The case remains under active investigation, and additional charges could be possible as the investigation continues. Lynchburg City Schools has not publicly commented on the arrest but has reportedly been cooperating with law enforcement.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Arrested on Child Abuse Charge
Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Arrested, Charged with Solicitation of a Minor
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Accused of Child Abuse in Ongoing Beating

The post Child Strangulation Charge for Arrested Virginia School Bus Driver appeared first on School Transportation News.

A man was arrested over the weekend after authorities say he stole a school bus from a high school parking lot and later abandoned it at a nearby store, reported ABC 13.

According to the news report, officers responded Saturday afternoon to a Dollar General near Glasgow High School after school officials reported that the stolen bus had been located. The vehicle showed visible scratches on the rear-passenger side and front that appeared to be recent.

Glasgow Independent Schools Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp said GPS data indicated the bus was started at approximately 4:34 a.m., left school property and traveled along Coral Hill Road before making a stop. The bus was later parked at the Dollar General around 5:27 a.m.

Security camera footage identified the suspect as 18-year-old Tayesean M. Barlow. The footage reportedly showed Barlow entering the bus with a flashlight and appearing to have what looked like a drum magazine attached to a handgun in his waistband. He was later seen sitting in the driver’s seat, starting the bus and driving away. Police said he briefly stopped to speak with someone out of view before continuing and eventually parking the bus.

According to the article, officers later went to Barlow’s home on Coral Hill Road, where his mother told them she was aware of the situation and had instructed her son to return the stolen bus. Barlow then came outside and was taken into custody.

While being held at the Barren County Detention Center, Barlow reportedly told police he had been with friends at a local apartment complex and decided to leave after “things got a little crazy.” He said he entered the bus after finding it unlocked, located the keys and drove it home because he did not want to walk.

Barlow remains jailed on a $25,000 cash bond. He faces charges including theft by unlawful taking, second-degree criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a weapon on school property, and operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.

Related: Louisiana Family Arrested Amid Accusations of Stealing School Bus
Related: Teen Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends with School Bus Crash
Related: Alabama Stolen School Bus Found, Man Charged
Related: Stolen School Bus Chased into Indiana Cornfield

The post Stolen Bus Driven from Kentucky School District to Nearby Store appeared first on School Transportation News.

A 78-year-old school bus monitor in South Carolina is charged with sex crimes involving a teenage girl who was riding his bus, reported The Augusta Press.

According to the news report, McDonald Walker of Aiken was charged Friday with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and criminal solicitation of a minor. The charges stem from an incident reported March 6 on a school bus.

Police stated a 14-year-old girl said she boarded the bus and took a seat when Walker approached her. “The bus monitor got up from his seat and went over to speak to her and then returned to his seat,” the report states. “The victim stated she began crying.”

Authorities reportedly said Walker allegedly made another comment to the teen girl as she was getting off the bus. Details of the alleged conduct were not immediately released, and officials said additional information is expected in formal warrants.

Aiken Public Safety Lt. Jennifer Hayes said investigators are working to obtain those warrants, which typically provide more specific descriptions of the allegations. Walker turned himself in to authorities Friday and was served with the warrants, Hayes said. He was later released after posting a $20,000 bond.

Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the encounter or whether additional incidents are being investigated. It was also unclear if Aiken County Public Schools continued to employ the school bus monitor.

Records show Walker has previously been arrested multiple times in Aiken County. Past charges include domestic violence in 2017, 2018, and 2023, as well as violating an order of protection in 2018. He was also charged with assault and battery in 2017, a case that resulted in a sentence of 30 days in jail or a fine. The investigation remains ongoing.

Related: New York School Bus Aide Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Children
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Arrested on Child Abuse Charge
Related: Florida School Bus Attendant Arrested for Inappropriate Behavior with Young Girls
Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver

The post Bus Monitor Charged with Sex Crimes Involving Teen School Bus Rider appeared first on School Transportation News.