School bus driver falls asleep at wheel, crashes empty bus
Josiah Muckey of Oregon is cited by police for careless driving after they say he fell asleep and crashed into two trees, a highway sign and a retaining wall.
SALEM, Ore. — A private-school bus driver was cited by police for careless driving after they said he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed the empty bus into two trees, a highway sign and a retaining wall, KATU News reports.
There were no passengers aboard the bus and no one was hurt in the collision, Salem Police Lieutenant Dave Okada told the news source.
Josiah Muckey was driving a Western Mennonite School bus when he crashed near an intersection at around 7 a.m., police told KATU News. Paul Schultz, the head administrator for the Western Mennonite School, told the news source that Muckey had dropped off students at the airport for their senior trip to Disneyland.
Schultz added that Muckey had worked at the school as a bus driver and in other positions for more than five years and has been a good employee, and Schultz thinks he will be able to continue working for the school as a bus driver, according to KATU News. The news source reports that it reviewed court records and found Muckey has no criminal history, and that he has a current school bus driving certificate that he renewed in March.
To read the full story, go here.
Related: Driver falls asleep, crashes school bus into mobile home
More Safety

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 →
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 →
