School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Boy found by highway after riding bus

The boy decides to ride the school bus instead of waiting for his parents to pick him up. He is reportedly dropped off a mile from home and wanders along the highway. Officials at the district where the boy attends school now require more teachers to stand by the buses to monitor who gets on them.

August 21, 2012
1 min to read


FLORENCE, Ariz. — A 5-year-old boy who was missing for an hour last week was discovered walking along a busy highway after he took the school bus instead of waiting for his parents to pick him up, Fox 10 News reports.

The boy and two of his friends decided it would be fun to ride the bus. The other students were caught, but the boy was able to ride the bus and was eventually dropped off in a neighborhood that he wasn't familiar with, a mile away from his home. A good Samaritan and then an ambulance crew later stopped to help him when he was wandering along the highway.

Ad Loading...

The Florence Unified School District has since implemented a new policy that requires more teachers to stand by the buses to monitor who gets on them.

To read the full story, click here.


Other news on missing students:

● Bus driver, aide charged for leaving student on bus

● Bus riders to wear special tags after boy goes missing

More Safety

Four women participate in a council meeting around a wooden conference table, with one speaking while the others listen. Laptops, notebooks, and drinks sit on the table.
Safety•by News/Media Release•October 23, 2026

HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council

More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet graphic showing students boarding a yellow school bus with the headline “Senate Recognized National School Bus Safety Month for 13th Year.”
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 22, 2026

What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation

The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.

Read More →
Close-up of a stop-arm enforcement camera mounted on a yellow school bus, with the headline “When Enforcement Drives Safety” and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•October 20, 2026

School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs

Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Yellow school bus lying on its side after a rollover crash, with the headline “After the Crash” and subtitle “What to Do & What Matters Most,” alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•October 20, 2026

Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.

A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet graphic showing a school bus safety inspection in the background, with the headline “2026 National School Bus Safety Week” in large orange and white lettering.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 19, 2026

National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe

School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school bus behind a shattered-glass effect with the text “Multi-Vehicle Crash in FL Takes 2 Lives” and the date October 5, 2026.
Safety•by Staff and News Reports•October 6, 2026

2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash

A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of an extended red stop arm with flashing lights on the side of a yellow school bus.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•September 21, 2026

Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts

With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school crossing sign and blurred school bus with the headline, “The Back-to-School Traffic Effect.”
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 18, 2026

School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction

What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.

Read More →
Geotab fleet safety platform showing driver coaching data and video of driving events alongside a Geotab vehicle camera.
Technology•by News/Media Release•September 17, 2026

Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights

New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet’s The Route graphic featuring two people alongside the text, “The Secret to Better Bus Driver Training (It’s Not the Curriculum),” sponsored by IC Bus.
Sponsored•by Amanda Huggett•September 15, 2026

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program

Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.

Read More →