SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Police investigating 2 fatalities involving school buses

A 6-year-old boy in Louisiana passes away on Monday morning from head injuries he sustained when he was caught on the outside of his school bus and dragged along a road. On Monday afternoon, an 8-year-old boy in Georgia passes away when he is run over by a school bus at a district’s transportation facility.

March 15, 2011
2 min to read


A 6-year-old boy died at a hospital in Lafayette, La., on Monday morning from head injuries he sustained when he was dragged about 20 feet along a road by his school bus.

Bus driver Harold Thibeaux was transporting students to an elementary/middle school when he made a scheduled stop. Thibeaux picked up several children and was closing the bus’ door when Lederion Miller attempted to get on board, The Daily Advertiser reports.

"He was somehow caught on the outside of the door or the arm of the bus," Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Craig Stansbury said in a statement. "The bus driver did not notice this and began driving forward, dragging the child approximately 20 feet until he fell to the roadway."

Thibeaux was interviewed at the sheriff's office and registered a 0.00 on a Breathalyzer test. No charges or citations were filed as of late Monday afternoon, but the accident and its exact circumstances remain under investigation.

Thibeaux was placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to The Daily Advertiser.

On Monday afternoon, an 8-year-old boy was killed when a school bus ran over him at Cartersville (Ga.) City Schools’ bus garage.  

Police investigating the accident told CBS Atlanta that Garrett Black’s aunt, a bus driver, let him off the bus at the transportation facility because that’s where his mother worked (he was dropped off there every day). Black was hit by another bus shortly after disembarking.

Capt. J.F. Cline with the Cartersville Police Department told the news source that as Black exited the bus and went around the front, a passing bus struck him. Black’s aunt witnessed the accident.

No charges are expected to be filed, and no citations have been issued.

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJuly 22, 2026

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 →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet news story featuring the NASDPTS logo, a speaker presenting with a microphone, and the headline, "38.4 Million Stop-Arm Violations," highlighting annual illegal school bus passing estimates.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettJuly 21, 2026

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 →
Graphic illustrating a fatal school bus incident in New York, featuring a close-up view of the front of a yellow school bus with a cracked-glass overlay and the headline, "7-Year-Old Fatally Struck in New York," dated July 9, 2026, alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJuly 9, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJune 30, 2026

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 →
zonar system image
SponsoredJune 22, 2026

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 →
Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

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 →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

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 →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

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 →