A recent report has revealed that the school bus driver involved in a tragic accident that claimed the life of a student in Florida has a history of accidents. According to records obtained by FOX 35 Orlando, the driver had previously been involved in two separate incidents earlier this year.
The first incident occurred at the beginning of the school year in late August, when the driver crashed into a car in the bus loop of Lake Minneola High School. The driver claimed that she was backing up to allow another vehicle to pass and was unaware of the car behind her. Then, in April, the same driver attempted a U-turn at an apartment complex and knocked over the community’s call box.
Tragically, the most recent accident occurred on October 2, just before 7 a.m., outside Lake Minneola High School. Seventeen-year-old Sherman Vannoy was riding his bicycle near the school’s entrance when he was struck and killed by the school bus. School district officials and authorities have confirmed the details of the incident.
It is worth noting that the driver involved in the fatal accident is not currently facing charges and has not been named. However, it has been revealed that she has been employed by the district since November 2021. Following the previous accidents, the driver was brought before the district’s safe driving committee and received a two-day suspension.
In response to inquiries about the consequences for drivers involved in accidents, district spokesperson Sherri Owens stated that the severity of the incident determines the response. In this case, with a fatality involved, the driver has been suspended and is awaiting the outcome of a law enforcement investigation.
The school district has confirmed that no students were on the buses in either of the previous crashes or during the fatal accident. The 78-year-old driver and two passengers on the bus were not injured.
The driver, despite being on leave since the recent accident, is still employed by the district. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
As more details emerge, it is crucial to address the issue of bus driver safety and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar accidents in the future.
