Student Dragged by School Bus, Driver Charged

NAVARRE, Fla. — A school bus driver here was charged with reckless driving last week after a student was allegedly dragged by the bus for about 300 feet after her backpack got caught in the doors, WEAR reports.  

The Florida Highway Patrol stated that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:10 p.m., according to the news source. The bus driver, Teresa Samo, was dropping off students when a backpack that one of the girls exiting the bus was wearing got stuck in the doors as they were closing. A report from the Highway Patrol added that Samo reportedly didn’t notice at first that the girl was caught in the doors and began driving away, but stopped once she did notice her, the news source reports.

The girl suffered minor injuries and wasn’t taken to the hospital, state troopers told WEAR.

WEAR previously reported that the contractor that Samo works for is Student Transportation of America. Doug Coupe, the director of communications for the school bus company, sent a statement to the news source, which said in part that the company is reviewing the incident and is working with the school district and law enforcement to assist with the investigation.