SBF Incident Report Roundup: April 12, 2023

Boy Left in Critical Condition After Being Hit by Car While Loading School Bus

A 6-year-old boy was placed on life support after being hit by a car that authorities said failed to stop for a stopped school bus in Stokesdale, North Carolina, on March 30. MyFox8 reported that James Christman did not stop for the bus while its lights were flashing and its stop arm was extended. The boy's parents told MyFox8 on April 3 that the boy had to be put on life support. An update posted to the student's school's PTO page showed that the boy was up talking to his family on Easter and was moved out of the ICU and to another room. MyFox8 did not identify the victim. However, the Stokesdale Elementary PTO's Facebook page has identified him as Jaxson.

Christman was charged with careless and reckless driving and passing a stopped school bus, which are both misdemeanors. Troopers told MyFox8 that as of April 3, felony charges were pending. 

The accident happened just before 7 a.m. while the child was crossing a highway. Residents in the area where the crash happened told MyFox8 that they believed a change in the school bus's pickup location played a role in the crash. The station reported that in previous years, the bus picked up children in front of homes on a dirt road. This year, the residents said the bus stop location was changed, requiring children to walk on a main roadway to load the bus. Parents said they had requested the district change the bus stop to its previous location. MyFox8 reported that the district did not respond to inquiries about a possible location change. School Bus Fleet also reached out about the bus stop location and did not receive a response.

A district spokesperon told School Bus Fleet that its crisis team was at the student's school to offer support to students. A week after the accident, students at the boy's school wore orange to show support for him.

Children Thwart Attempted Kidnapping at Maryland School Bus Stop

A group of children prevented a 30-year-old man from kidnapping a student at a school bus stop in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on March 20, authorities said. ABC News reported that Jamaal Germany attempted to kidnap a child at the bus stop as the students waited to be picked up.

The Montgomery County Police Department released a statement saying Germany reportedly grabbed the child and pulled them toward an apartment building. Several students apparently stepped in and the victim was able to break free. Authorities said that when the bus arrived, all students were accounted for and boarded the bus before the incident was reported to school staff. A community engagement officer responded to the childrens' school. Germany was identified as the suspect and was arrested. He's charged with attempted kidnapping and second-degree assault.

Gun Accidentally Discharges on North Carolina School Bus, Injuring Student

A gun in a 14-year-old student's possession accidentally fired aboard a school bus in Greenville, North Carolina, injuring another student. It happened on April 6. The Reflector reported that the 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged in the incident, which happened during the afternoon route. Authorities said the student charged in the case had not been cooperative and that officers had not located the gun involved in the incident. Officers are investigating where the student obtained the gun. Authorities said it was unclear whether the gun was ever brought inside the school.

Police believe the suspect was either playing with the gun or showing it to a friend when it accidentally discharged. Authorities said a 16-year-old was grazed in the buttocks by a gunshot, but it was unclear whether he realized he had been shot because the wound was superficial. The student was taken to the hospital by his parents after he was dropped off.

Authorities said the sound of the gunshot may have been muffled, and that it was unclear whether the bus driver was aware a shooting had occurred. The district released a statement to The Reflector, saying weapons of any kind are prohibited on its campuses and transportation vehicles.

Indiana Girl Dragged Down Street by School Bus

A 7-year-old Anderson, Indiana, student was injured on April 7 when her family said she was dragged approximately 30 feet by a school bus. Kah-Lise Brown's mother told Fox 59 that the door began closing after her daughter put her foot on the first step of the bus, causing her to be dragged by the bus. She was left with scrapes on her legs.

Anderson Community Schools released a statement on the incident, but did not release details on the cause of the student's injuries. In its statement, the district said it had been in close communication with the student's mother. During its investigation, the district noted that the driver is not permitted to drive. The Anderson Police Department along with Indiana State Police, the school district, and the Department of Child Services are all conducting independent investigations of the incident.

Arizona School Bus Driver Assaulted at Bus Stop

Video captured the moment a Santa Cruz Valley (Arizona) Unified School District bus driver was assaulted by a man at a bus stop on April 3. KPNX reported that in the video, a young child could be heard arguing with the bus driver saying, "Push my brother again." Then, a man was heard cursing at the driver and ordering him to step off the bus. The man then walked onto the bus, punching the driver in the face.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is investigating what may have led to the incident. Authorities said they are also still trying to locate the man who punched the driver. The family of two other students who ride the bus told KPNX that the driver has been aggressive in the past. Investigators are checking all allegations against the bus driver, as well as the attack toward the driver.

The school district sent an alert to parents after the assault, saying the investigation was ongoing. It also sent a statement to KPNX, saying it was unable to comment on personnel matters or incidents under active investigation.

The driver refused medical assistance.

Students, Driver Injured in Texas School Bus Accident

A group of students went to the hospital after authorities said a school bus driver crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle in Mineola, Texas. The crash happened on March 20. Fox4 News reported that the crash happened during the morning commute. According to a statement from Mineola Independent School District, 12 students were on the bus at the time of the crash. Six students were transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, while the other six were treated and released on the scene. The school bus driver and the driver of the other vehicle also were taken to the hospital.

Maryland School Bus Involved in Fiery Crash

A Prince George's County, Maryland, school bus was involved in a fiery head-on crash on March 16. Fox5 DC reported that the driver of the car fled the scene after the crash.

Six children and an aide were on the bus and were on the way to an elementary school when the crash happened. The aide was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The children were not injured.

Photos of the crash show the front portion of the bus and school bus charred and covered with soot.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.