Settlement reached in case of man striking girl boarding school bus
An $81,000 settlement was approved by a judge in North Carolina in a case involving a motorist who struck a girl as she was crossing the street to board the bus.
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — An $81,000 settlement was approved on Monday by a judge here in a case involving a motorist who struck a girl as she was crossing the street to board a school bus, Winston-Salem Journal reports.
On Jan. 7, 2013, second-grader Kelly Seanee Smith was hit by a car driven by Edward Rashad Lee Fulks, then 17; the mirror on Fulks’ car hit Smith in the face and neck. She did not suffer serious injuries, according to Winston-Salem Journal. Fulks pleaded guilty in November 2013 to felony hit-and-run with injury, felony passing a stopped school bus and misdemeanor driving without a license, the newspaper reports. He received a suspended sentence of six to 17 months and was put on supervised probation for 24 months.
Kelly’s father, Kerry Smith Sr., filed a lawsuit last year against Fulks and the owner of the car Fulks was driving, according to Winston-Salem Journal. His attorney said the girl’s jaw was injured, and medical bills have come close to $20,000. Attorneys in the case went into mediation and agreed on the settlement, which will go toward medical bills, attorney fees, Kelly’s college education, and about $33,000 for an annuity for her, according to the newspaper.
Kerry Smith Sr. told Winston-Salem Journal that he had complained many times before the accident about the bus stop near his house being dangerous, and that in November 2013, school officials moved the stop so that it was in front of his house and his children wouldn’t have to cross the street to board the bus.
To read the full story, go here.
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 →
