Mom charged in alleged assault on school bus driver
According to police in Virginia, the mother of a student allegedly accused the bus driver of threatening to kill her son, although the driver reported that she had told the boy to sit down for safety reasons. After her arm got caught in the closing bus door, the mother allegedly hit the driver in the face.
CULPEPER, Va. — A student’s mother was charged for allegedly hitting a school bus driver here on Friday afternoon, police said.
The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office reported that the female bus driver was transporting elementary students when the incident occurred. Bethany Rudd, the mother of a student, allegedly approached the driver and accused her of threatening to kill her son.
Rudd allegedly yelled at the bus driver and tried to obstruct the bus door from closing. The bus driver reportedly asked the mother multiple times to get off of the bus.
Police said that at one point, Rudd’s arm was caught in the closing bus door. When the driver opened the door, Rudd allegedly hit her in the face.
According to the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, the bus driver later reported that she had told Rudd’s son to sit down on the bus for safety reasons.
As a result of the incident, Rudd was charged with assault and battery and trespassing.
Other recent news on bus incidents involving mothers:
More Safety
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →