SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Special-Needs Student Found Wandering After Being Left on School Van

A nonverbal, 7-year-old boy in Pennsylvania falls asleep and is left on the van. He leaves the van and wanders to a roadway, where two women find him.

September 11, 2017
2 min to read


HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A student with special needs was reportedly left on the van taking him to school and was later found wandering near a roadway on Tuesday, WNEP reports.

Nathan Stewart, 7, who is nonverbal, boarded the van that morning at the usual time, his family told the news source, but he fell asleep on the way to school. Although the other special-needs students aboard made it to school, Stewart was still in the van and ended up in the driver’s home driveway. Stewart’s grandmother told WNEP that when he woke up, he left the van and started walking, and two women found him. Stewart’s family estimates that he walked for about 10 to 15 minutes because that's how far the driver lives from the area along Route 93 where Stewart was found.

Stewart’s family was notified two hours after he should have started classes that he hadn’t shown up to school. Police told the news source that they responded to the incident after the women called 911.

The Hazleton Area School District is investigating the incident, according to WNEP. A woman from Chiverella Inc., the company that takes Stewart to school, left a voicemail for Stewart’s family the evening of the incident. The message said, “You can bet this will never happen again to any child,” according to the news source.

To read the full story, go here.

More Special Needs Transportation

Graphic of a wheelchair with text reading “Avoid These 32 Wheelchair Mistakes” and School Bus Fleet logo on a blue gradient background

The Most Common Wheelchair Securement Mistakes on School Buses (and How to Fix Them)

Small missteps in wheelchair securement can have serious consequences. Here are 32 tips from experts to reduce risk and increase student safety on the bus.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet “On the Road” graphic featuring Maritza Valentin of AMF Bruns America inside a mobility equipment showroom in Ohio, highlighting accessible bus solutions.

Inside AMF Bruns’ New Showroom: School Bus Securement Solutions Explained

Go inside AMF Bruns America’s new Ohio showroom with Maritza Valentin to see its FutureSafe technology, driver training tools, securement systems, and seating innovations.

Read More →
Thumbnail image of AMF Bruns grand opening video featuring Maritza Valentin speaking in a manufacturing space, with company logo and “Grand Opening Day!” text overlay

What AMF Bruns’ New Facility Means for Customers [Video]

Inside AMF Bruns’ new Stow, Ohio, operations: See how expanded space and innovation will enhance customer support and operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

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 →
AMF Bruns national account managers Maritza Valentin and Jeff Algire at open house event

AMF Bruns Expands in Ohio, Investing in Growth and Community

With expanded production space, local investment, and a growing workforce, AMF Bruns is scaling its U.S. presence. Here’s an exclusive first look inside the new Stow, Ohio, HQ.

Read More →
Exterior view of AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot facility in Stow, Ohio

Inside AMF Bruns of America’s New Ohio Manufacturing Facility [Photos]

Take a behind-the-scenes look at AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot Stow, Ohio, headquarters, featuring advanced manufacturing, expanded space, and future-ready mobility solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions

While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.

Read More →
Students walking away from a school bus with a driver in the background, representing efforts to improve student behavior support and safety in school transportation programs.

First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas

First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.

Read More →
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
SponsoredFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
Special Needs TransportationFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →