Police in Ramapo, New York, say a vehicle hit a child and fled the scene, but officers later located and charged the driver. Photo courtesy NYSBCA

Police in Ramapo, New York, say a vehicle hit a child and fled the scene, but officers later located and charged the driver. Photo courtesy NYSBCA

MONSEY, N.Y. — A motorist faces multiple charges after allegedly injuring a student in a school bus stop hit-and-run here on Friday.

According to the Ramapo Police Department, a vehicle reportedly passed a stopped school bus and struck a child who was crossing a street in Monsey, which is about 40 miles north of New York City. The motorist fled the scene, police said.

The student who was struck by the passing vehicle sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital as a precaution, police said.

A description of the vehicle and the license plate number were provided to the Ramapo Police Department, and officers began a search for the vehicle. The department later announced on Facebook that officers had located the vehicle and the driver, who was “charged under multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law, including leaving the scene of an accident and passing a stopped school bus.”

Illegal passing of school buses has been the subject of numerous safety initiatives by pupil transportation associations in New York. Efforts have included the annual Operation Safe Stop Day that promotes awareness and enforcement; support for bills to allow school bus stop-arm cameras and toughen penalties for offenders; and ongoing surveys of stop-arm running.

Under current New York law, drivers convicted of a first stop-arm offense face up to 30 days in jail, a fine of $250 to $400, and a five-point penalty on their license. Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he will work to increase the state’s fines for illegal passing of school buses.

About the author
Thomas McMahon

Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

Thomas had covered the pupil transportation industry with School Bus Fleet since 2002. When he's not writing articles about yellow buses, he enjoys running long distances and making a joyful noise with his guitar.

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