SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Video shows woman boarding bus, threatening children

The woman, Kela leshia Hand, confronts a child she believed hit her stepdaughter and threatens the other children on the bus. She is later joined by her partner and four other adults, who walk into the bus against the driver’s objections.

May 8, 2014
Video shows woman boarding bus, threatening children

Video surveillance footage from a Clarksville-Montgomery County School System bus shows a woman and five other adults walking into the bus against the driver’s objections (the driver is at right in the screenshot). The woman yells at and threatens the children.<br/><small>Screenshot from video obtained by <i>Leaf-Chronicle</i></small>

2 min to read


CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The Leaf-Chronicle reports that video from Clarksville-Montgomery County School System shows a woman, Kela leshia Hand, boarding a school bus to confront a child she believed hit her stepdaughter in the mouth and threatened the other children on the bus on April 25.

She was later joined by her partner, who is her stepdaughter’s mother, and four other adults, who walked into the bus against the bus driver’s objections.

In the video, Hand walks past the driver, ignoring her objections, and yells at the children. She tries to lead the 7-year-old boy she at first suspected of hitting her daughter off the bus as he cries and screams, according to the newspaper. Some of the other adults who boarded the bus appeared to be checking on their children, while others argued with the kids over who started the fight. One yelled at the children to sit down and behave themselves.

Hand was charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct and was banned from St. Bethlehem Elementary School property.

The bus driver, Connie Pritzl, radioed dispatch after Hand first got on the bus, but then she put the radio down. In the video, dispatchers can be heard in the background trying to get a response from Pritzl as she tries to control the situation. A letter of reprimand in Pritzl’s personnel file says dispatch called 911 to request assistance and asked Pritzl for her location, according to the Leaf-Chronicle. After several attempts by dispatch to reach her, Pritzl finally radioed back and said the parent had left the bus, so the request for assistance from 911 was canceled.

Following an investigation, Pritzl was suspended without pay May 1 and 2 and was placed on a five-day alternate work site without pay May 5-9. To read the full story, click here. The video is below.

More Safety

zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
an overturned school bus on a roadway after an accident
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation

The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 17, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of Wisconsin political figures by a table and text reading "Legislative Roundup April 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesApril 17, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades

From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →
Graphic with bold yellow background and red headline reading “A Split Second from Disaster,” alongside a photo of a freight train traveling down railroad tracks. Subtext reads, “What one incident reminds us about railroad crossing safety,” with School Bus Fleet branding at the bottom.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettApril 7, 2026

'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders

Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 7, 2026

No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses

The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.

Read More →