HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — Two school bus drivers here were allegedly assaulted by students on their buses and taken to the hospital this week in separate incidents, WAVY reports.
On Thursday morning, Diana Gulotta, a Hampton City Schools bus driver, had stopped the bus when a 14-year-old girl reportedly assaulted her, according to the news source. Police said that the start of the incident remains under investigation, but a resident in the area told WAVY he saw the school bus, police cars and a fire truck, and that students were evacuated from the bus and boarded on another bus. Police charged the student as a juvenile with assault and battery and released her.
A statement released by the school district said that the student who was alleged to be involved in the assault would be disciplined, and that it was following up on the condition of the bus driver to offer support.
On Monday, a Portsmouth school bus driver who was breaking up a fight between two students was reportedly injured, according to WAVY. Detective Misty Holley told the news source that the students were both girls under the age of 12.
The driver pulled the bus over to stop the fight, and about 30 minutes later, he reported being injured and requested an ambulance. Holley told WAVY that the driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries to the shoulder.
Police are not filing charges and it is not yet known what actions the school may take against the students, according to the news source.
Virginia school bus drivers assaulted by students
Two drivers were allegedly assaulted by students on their buses and taken to the hospital in separate incidents. One of the drivers was trying to break up a fight.
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 →
