School Bus Driver Accused of Assaulting Student
The driver is charged with misdemeanor assault for an altercation on a Newport News (Va.) Public Schools bus. A district spokeswoman says that surveillance video shows wrongdoing on both sides.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A school bus driver here is accused of having attacked a middle school student last week, WAVY reports.
Police charged bus driver James Hopkins with misdemeanor assault for an altercation that happened on a Newport News Public Schools bus on March 2, according to the news source. Cell phone video sent to "10 On Your Side" by the student’s mother shows the fight.
District spokeswoman Michelle Price told WAVY that bus surveillance video shows wrongdoing on both sides; the student reportedly acted inappropriately before Hopkins pulled over and the situation escalated. Price added that the student may receive a long-term suspension, and that Hopkins had worked for the district for two years, and is now on administrative leave.
The news source also interviewed a parent who has a friend who works as a bus driver for the district. The parent said her friend reportedly had to switch routes due to unruly student behavior.
To read the full story, go here.
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