WESTMINSTER, S.C. — A man here was arrested on Friday for allegedly trying to force his way onto a school bus.

William Jared Richardson, 40, was taken into custody by deputies from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office after the incident. Richardson is charged with disturbing schools and breach of peace, aggravated in nature, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

According to an investigator, a school bus was headed to Fair-Oak Elementary School at around 7:15 a.m. when Richardson reportedly ran in front of the bus in an attempt to board it. The bus driver hit the brakes to avoid striking Richardson and also because Richardson allegedly had an object in his hand that the driver had perceived to be a weapon.

The bus driver then kept driving, but Richardson grabbed the mirror near the door while the bus was in motion in an attempt to gain entry, according to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

A couple of citizens observed the incident and were able to detain Richardson until deputies arrived on the scene.

There were no injuries to the driver or any students on the school bus and, according to the investigator, the bus did eventually proceed on to the school.

Richardson has been placed on trespass notice for all schools in the School District of Oconee County, according to the investigator.

The school bus driver was called a hero by David Thompson, the principal of Fair-Oak Elementary School. He told FOX Carolina that the driver kept the bus secure and made sure the students were safe. Watch a video of Thompson recounting the incident below.

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