Mom ordered to serve jail time for assaulting bus driver
A judge sentences Bethany Rudd to 10 days in jail for the December incident in which she boarded her son’s school bus and allegedly hit driver Helen Gibson in the face. However, the judge allows Rudd to file for an appeal, enabling her to avoid jail time for now, and she is due back in court in April for the assault and battery charge against her.
CULPEPER, Va. — Last week, a judge ordered a 33-year-old woman to serve 10 days in jail for assaulting a Culpeper County Public Schools bus driver in December, the Star Exponent reports.
As previously reported, the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office said 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 had 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.
Now, the Star Exponent reports that Rudd was found guilty of assault and battery against bus driver Helen Gibson, who retired on Dec. 31.
Retired Judge Steven Helvin sentenced Rudd to 30 days in jail before suspending 20 days.
“I’ve been a judge a long time, and I’ve seen plenty of cases,” Helvin said prior to the sentencing, according to the Star Exponent. “I don’t enjoy hearing cases like this. For your behavior, you deserve to go to jail.”
However, Helvin allowed Rudd to file for an appeal, enabling her to avoid jail time for now.
Rudd is scheduled to appear in court on April 15 for the assault and battery charge against her.
More Safety

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 →
Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
