After child choked on bus, driver charged with neglect
A school bus driver is arrested and charged with child neglect after a child was choked unconscious by another child on her bus. Detectives say that the driver “failed to provide any assistance to the victim during or after the Oct. 15 attack.”
NAPLES, Fla. — A school bus driver was arrested and charged with child neglect on Friday after a child was choked unconscious by another child on the bus she was driving.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office detectives said that Irena Fulton, 57, “failed to provide any assistance to the victim during or after the Oct. 15 attack.”
According to police reports, Fulton was driving a Collier County Public Schools bus from a Boys and Girls Club to an elementary/intermediate school when the suspect attacked the victim around 7 p.m.
The victim told detectives that the suspect, unprovoked, had put him in a choke hold and choked him unconscious on the bus, reports said.
According to police reports, “at no time did Fulton stop the bus to ask if there was a problem.”
Detectives said that another student assisted the victim off of the bus and onto the sidewalk. According to police reports, Fulton did not get off of the bus to inquire about the seriousness of the injury to the victim, nor did she call 911 or call for medical assistance.
Police said that the bus depot staff learned of the incident after the school called and notified them of it the next day.
Detectives arrested the juvenile suspect in the attack on a felony charge of battery on Oct. 17.
The news recalls a recent incident in Pinellas County, Fla., in which a school bus driver was criticized for not physically intervening when a student was being beaten by three older students on his bus.
More Management

Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →
Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
American Student Transportation Partners Acquires AJ Myers and Sons
A new deal brings a 75-year Pennsylvania student transportation provider into one of the nation’s largest private school bus contracting groups.
Read More →
What I Brought Home From SBFX: Relationships, Leadership, and Preparing What's Next
Who could lead your transportation operation tomorrow if you couldn't? Bernando Brown explores succession planning, mentorship, and preparing emerging leaders to step up.
Read More →

