S.C. Student Dies After Having Seizure While on School Bus
Kirsten Volzka is riding a school bus, driven by her grandmother, when she suffers cardiac arrest, which leads to a seizure.
An eighth grade student from Anderson School District One in Williamston, S.C., passed away recently after suffering cardiac arrest, which led to a seizure while on her school bus.
According to a report from the Anderson County Coroner, obtained by WYFF, 13-year-old Kirsten Volzka died on Nov. 20 after suffering cardiac arrest while riding home from school on the school bus. The report stated that Volzka's grandmother, Donna Stargel, was driving the bus at the time of the incident and that Volzka had no prior history of heart problems. Stargel told WYFF that the cause of Volzka’s cardiac arrest was apparently an undetected asymptomatic defect in her heart that worsened over time.
Jane Harrison, the assistant superintendent for Anderson School District One, told the news source in another WYFF story that doctors believe Volzka’s heart issues are what led to the seizure, causing her to be without oxygen for roughly 25 minutes. Harrison added that while memorial plans are still in the works, Volzka’s name has been spelled out using plastic cups on a fence outside of Wren Middle School, where she was a student. The district has also made counselors available for students in regard to the incident, according to WYFF.
Members of the larger Anderson community are grieving the loss of Volzka by expressing their condolences and sharing memories through a public Facebook group called Prayers for Kirsten, which has acquired more than 1,600 members as of press time.
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 →
