The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A 5-year-old child suffered minor injuries after reportedly being dragged by a school bus in Kirkland, New York, when their backpack became caught in the bus door. The driver is now facing a misdemeanor charge.
According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the incident on Monday, November 2. The bus was taking children home after school on an afternoon route for the Clinton Central School District.
Authorities said the driver, a 37-year-old woman from Clinton, had stopped at the child’s home to let several students off the bus. As the last child stepped out of the vehicle, the driver allegedly closed the doors without realizing the child’s backpack had become trapped, and the youngster was dragged along the road as the bus began moving.
According to the sheriff’s office, the bus traveled some distance before coming to a stop. It was reported that the child sustained minor injuries, although the exact nature and extent of them has not currently been released.
The incident also left other children on the bus as witnesses to what happened and the school district later acknowledged that the experience was likely frightening and traumatic for the students who saw it.
In a statement released Tuesday, November 3, the Clinton Central School District confirmed that the driver involved would no longer be transporting students. The district also said its school support team would be available to provide counseling and other assistance to students who needed it.
School officials contacted families whose children were on the bus route at the time to inform them about what happened.
On Tuesday, the driver turned herself in to authorities and was arrested. She was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and released on an appearance ticket.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.