BRENTWOOD, N.H. — A former school bus driver is facing years in prison for a collision last year in which she was distracted by her phone and crashed into a tree, New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
Stephanie Boyd, a mother of three who had one of her children on the bus with her at the time, stood trial last week for charges related to a crash on Feb. 3, 2015, according to the newspaper. In a recorded interview, Boyd admitted to police that she began downloading a messaging app at an intersection while driving her route, and looked down at her phone to check on the status of the download just before the bus went off the road and hit a tree. Three students were injured in the crash.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of misdemeanor simple assault for injuries to two of the 11 students on the bus; a felony charge of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon (the bus); and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child, according New Hampshire Union Leader. Jurors did not find Boyd guilty of a felony second-degree assault charge related to a fractured jaw and other injuries suffered by a 13-year-old student aboard the bus. Boyd faces three-and-a-half to seven years in prison on the reckless conduct charge and one year in prison on each of the misdemeanors.
Boyd’s attorney tried to convince jurors that the crash was just an accident, and that her actions did not rise to the level of being reckless, but prosecutors argued that she was reckless and put the lives of students and others at risk, the newspaper reports.
To read the full story, go here.
Former School Bus Driver Faces Jail Time for Distracted Driving
Stephanie Boyd of New Hampshire faces years in prison for a collision last year in which she downloaded an app on her phone while driving and crashed into a tree. Three students were injured.
More Safety

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
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
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
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 →
