Video: School Bus Hit By Railroad Crossing Arm, Driver Goes Over Tracks
In Washington, a motorist records a video of the bus driver driving over railroad tracks after a crossing arm hits the bus.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A school bus driver here is being investigated after a video taken by a motorist showed her driving over railroad tracks after a crossing arm hit the bus, KIRO 7 reports.
Kevin Acuff, the superintendent for Elma School District, told the news source that the bus driver, who has been driving for 37 years, was transporting elementary school students on June 4 when she drove over the railroad tracks. Acuff added that the bus was traveling at “an extremely slow speed” and the bus driver immediately notified the district’s bus garage after the close call. No one on board was hurt, according to KIRO 7.
Owen Swartz, the motorist who was stopped behind the bus at the time, posted a video of the incident on Facebook. The video shows the crossing arm hit the top of the bus as the red lights that warn of approaching trains flash, and then the crossing arm continuing to come down as the bus drives off. Swartz clarified in the post that the “train passed not long after,” and that “the bus was stopped on the tracks when the arms came down.”
Chief Susan Shultz with the Elma Police Department told KIRO 7 that it was determined that the bus driver did, in fact, stop at the crossing and was clearing the tracks before proceeding over them. Currently, state law requires bus drivers to stop, open the door, and check for trains before crossing railroad tracks, according to the news source.
Elma School District said in a statement posted on its website that the bus driver has since been removed from all driving responsibilities, and that the Elma Police Department has been asked to investigate the matter. The district also said that student safety remains a priority, and that the district “will take every necessary step to prevent this from happening in the future.”
Watch the full video, posted on Swartz’s Facebook page, below. (Note: The video contains some profanity.)
More Safety

From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →

