SBF Incident Report Roundup: May 12, 2022

17 People Injured in North Carolina Crash Involving School Bus

More than a dozen people were injured in Charlotte (North Carolina) when two vehicles crashed into it this week. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the bus was heading to South Mecklenburg High School carrying 15 students when it was hit by a small dump truck and another car. Medics told WBTV that of the 17 injuries, one person had life-threatening injuries, while another person had serious injuries. All students had minor injuries; 14 were taken to area hospitals. The bus driver and dump truck driver both were pinned in their vehicles. Police did not release what caused the crash, or whether anyone would be charged.

Dozens of Students Escape School Bus Fire

Authorities reported that 41 students escaped a school bus when it caught fire in Palm Bay (Florida) on May 3. Imagine School Principal Brian DeGonzague told Spectrum News 13 that the bus driver saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. He pulled over, evacuating the students onboard, just before the bus became fully engulfed. The principal said the buses used by the school were acquired within the past five years and get basic inspections daily, as well as more detailed monthly and quarterly inspections. Fire officials have not determined a cause for the fire, but the school's bus mechanic believes it was electric-related. No injuries were reported.

Police: Georgia Woman Arrested After Opening Fire at School Bus Full of Children

A woman in Gwinett County (Georgia) was arrested after police said she shot at an elementary school bus with children inside. The school bus driver had hand injuries from broken glass; the students were not injured. Police told Fox 5 Atlanta that the driver took the children to their school, Riverside Elementary School, which was less than a mile away from where the shooting happened. Celeste Saunders was charged with cruelty to children, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies, and unauthorized discharge of a firearm near public street. Police said they did not have a motive for the shooting.

Employee Fired After Letting Student Use His Truck Before Crashing into Three North Carolina School Buses

A Catawba County (North Carolina) middle school employee was cited by law enforcement and fired after authorities said he allowed a student to drive his truck late last month. Police said Jason Oxentine, a teacher assistant and coach at Riverbend Middle School, asked a student to drive his personal truck from the back of the school to the front. Police told WBTV that the student lost control of the vehicle and hit three parked school buses. The district reported that the estimated repair costs for the buses is $6,750. A district official said two other employees were on one of the buses at the time of the crash, but no one was injured. Oxentine was cited by law enforcement for giving his keys to a minor; his employment was terminated a few days after the crash.

Canada School Bus Driver Charged With Stunt Driving

Ontario Provincial Police charged a school bus driver for Laurentian Valley Township with stunt driving in early May. Police tweeted that the driver was traveling at 106 km/h (66 mph) in a 60 km/h (37 mph) zone with children onboard. A photo posted to twitter appeared to show the school bus stopped in a residential area. The stunt driving charge carries a 30-day license suspension and a court appearance.