Intoxicated Parent Allegedly Boards School Bus, Threatens Driver
Gabriele Ruth Privitera of South Carolina refuses to exit the bus when asked by the bus driver, swears at the students and driver, and threatens the driver. She is arrested and is facing multiple charges.
BLACKSBURG, S.C. — A mother here was arrested on Thursday after she allegedly boarded a school bus, threatened the driver, and cursed at the students aboard, WYFF reports.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that at about 7 a.m., deputies received reports that a parent was refusing to get off a school bus, according to the news source. Deputies said that Gabriele Ruth Privitera started swearing at the students and the bus driver, threatened the bus driver in front of the students, and poked at the driver, according to WYFF.
The bus driver called for help, and when a police officer arrived, he found Privitera to be intoxicated. She told the officer that she went onto the bus because she was upset that kids were picking on her child, according to the news source. Privitera is facing several charges, including third-degree assault and battery, interfering with the operation of a school bus, and public disorderly conduct.
Sheriff Steve Mueller released a statement that said that the bus driver did a good job of keeping her composure and ensuring the safety of the students aboard, according to WYFF.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →