9-year-old throws asphalt at bus, chair at deputy
Amber Dawn Harris is charged with multiple felonies after she spits on school staff on board the bus, then exits the bus and throws pieces of broken asphalt at it. A deputy responds to the scene and follows Harris, who retrieves a metal chair from a yard and throws it, striking the deputy.
FORT MEYERS, Fla. — A 9-year-old student was arrested after she spat on staff members on a school bus, threw pieces of broken asphalt at the bus and tossed a chair at a deputy responding to the incident.
Police were contacted after Amber Dawn Harris spat on the staff members and became aggressive on the bus. Harris exited the bus at an intersection and began to pick up large pieces of asphalt.
The deputy responding to the scene witnessed Harris throwing the asphalt. One piece struck the windshield where the driver was sitting.
Upon seeing the deputy, Harris began walking away from the scene. The deputy followed; Harris walked into a nearby yard and picked up a metal chair, which she threw, hitting the deputy.
The deputy informed Harris she was under arrest. Harris resisted by kicking and attempting to push the deputy. She was taken into custody; no one was injured. Detectives with Youth Services and the Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate.
Harris was booked on felony charges of battery on a public school employee, throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with violence.
More Safety

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
