No New Trial for Motorist in Hit-and-Run School Bus Crash
The Pennsylvania motorist will not receive a new trial after he was convicted in a crash that caused a school bus carrying more than a dozen students to tip over.

James Irvin III will not receive a new trial after he was convicted in a crash that caused a school bus carrying more than a dozen students to tip over. Photo courtesy Lancaster County district attorney's office

LANCASTER, Pa. — A motorist here will not receive a new trial after he was convicted in a hit-and-run crash that caused a school bus carrying more than a dozen students to tip over two years ago.
As SBFpreviously reported, James Irvin III was sentenced in August 2018 to a prison term of five to 20 years. He was convicted of 68 charges, including aggravated assault and hit-and-run, in connection with the May 2017 crash in East Lampeter Township.
Judge Howard Kinsley reportedly said that Irvin showed “no regard” for anyone on the road when he drove 71 mph, while accelerating, during an illegal pass that caused a chain-reaction crash, in which a school bus with 14 Lancaster Mennonite School students tipped onto its side. A 6-year-old student was pinned under the bus and sustained a fractured clavicle, a lacerated spleen, and rib fractures, while another student, 16, sustained a fractured vertebra, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania Superior Court denied Irvin’s request for a new trial, and wrote in a 10-page opinion report, according to the district attorney's office, that if it weren’t for Irvin’s reckless driving and illegal passing, none of the injuries would have happened.
The court also wrote in the report that Irvin “put his punctuality ahead of the safety of everyone else on the road that day,” and knew of the risk of collision and potential serious injury when he broke the speed limit by 30 mph and passed in an opposing traffic lane while attempting to overtake an 86-foot long tractor-trailer. Irvin, however, claimed that there wasn’t enough evidence to support a conviction of aggravated assault.
More Safety

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 →
NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners
Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
