School Bus Driver Cited After Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
Ericka Holley of North Carolina loses control of the bus, which runs off the highway and into a ditch. There are no serious injuries.
HERTFORD, N.C. — A school bus driver has been cited after school officials said she fell asleep behind the wheel, causing her bus to run off the highway and into a ditch last week, The Perquimans Weekly reports.
James Bunch, the assistant superintendent for Perquimans County Schools, told the newspaper that the bus driver, who police identified as Ericka Holley, was driving along Holiday Rd. near Pender Rd. when she apparently lost control of the vehicle, causing the bus to drive off the right side of the road and hit several trees before coming to a stop in a ditch. All 24 students aboard the bus were examined by emergency personnel, and no serious injuries were reported, according to The Perquimans Weekly. Bunch added that the bus was totaled in the crash.
Footage from the security camera on the bus, according to school officials, confirmed that Holley fell asleep prior to the incident, the newspaper reports. North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Buddy Davis told The Perquimans Weekly that Holley was taken to the hospital after she complained that she hurt her hand in the crash. She was charged with careless and reckless driving and failure to maintain lane control.
Bunch told the newspaper that Holley has been a driver with Perquimans County Schools for three years, and will be required to complete a mandatory drug test as part of the district’s policy.
To read the full story, go here.
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 →
