NAVARRE, Fla. — A school bus driver here was charged with reckless driving last week after a student was allegedly dragged by the bus for about 300 feet after her backpack got caught in the doors, WEAR reports.
The Florida Highway Patrol stated that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:10 p.m., according to the news source. The bus driver, Teresa Samo, was dropping off students when a backpack that one of the girls exiting the bus was wearing got stuck in the doors as they were closing. A report from the Highway Patrol added that Samo reportedly didn’t notice at first that the girl was caught in the doors and began driving away, but stopped once she did notice her, the news source reports.
The girl suffered minor injuries and wasn’t taken to the hospital, state troopers told WEAR.
WEAR previously reported that the contractor that Samo works for is Student Transportation of America. Doug Coupe, the director of communications for the school bus company, sent a statement to the news source, which said in part that the company is reviewing the incident and is working with the school district and law enforcement to assist with the investigation.
Student Dragged by School Bus, Driver Charged
The Florida bus driver is charged with reckless driving after a student is allegedly dragged by the bus for about 300 feet after her backpack got caught in the bus doors.
More Safety

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
Read More →
The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
