BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — A school bus driver is on administrative leave after driving off last Friday with a kindergartner's backpack caught in the door, which left the girl dangling as the bus drove 41 feet down the road.
The female bus driver reportedly stopped just past the driveway of 5-year-old Alexis Luvell’s home and opened the doors to let her out, but drove off before ensuring that the girl had fully exited the bus.
"She closed the doors and Alexis' backpack was stuck. The driver just took off. I was screaming 'Stop! Stop!' and she finally did after people were honking," Brenda McCormick, Luvell’s grandmother and guardian, told 11Alive.
Barrow County Schools Superintendent Wanda Creel told the news source that the district is investigating the incident, but said it is clear the bus driver did not follow protocol. When drivers let students off the bus, they are supposed to wait until the students are 12 feet from the bus before leaving for the next stop.
McCormick told 11Alive that she will drive Luvell to and from school until the district’s investigation of the incident is complete and she knows who her next bus driver will be.
Driver suspended for leaving student dangling from bus doors
The school bus driver reportedly stops in front of 5-year-old Alexis Luvell’s home and opens the doors to let her out, but drives off before ensuring that the girl has fully exited the bus. Her backpack is caught in the doors, and she is left hanging as the bus drives 41 feet down the road. The incident is under investigation.
More Safety

National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner
Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.
Read More →
The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
