Florida Bus Driver Charged After Near Miss with Train
A bus driver in Florida has faced nearly 30 counts of child neglect and reckless driving following a close call with a train last week.
The incident involved a bus carrying 29 students and one aide from a Sumter County school district, which was struck by a CSX train. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Yvonne Hampton, the driver, has worked for the district since 2015, as noted by Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown. Brown mentioned the event in a video posted on Facebook.
Interestingly, rather than being fired, Hampton left her position after the incident. According to Fox 35 Orlando, Brown emphasized the district’s commitment to safety, stating, “We take families’ trust in us to safely transport their children very seriously. No one who would jeopardize that trust may work for the Sumter County School District.”
In the video, Brown noted how narrowly the situation was avoided, explaining that the train clipped the corner of the bus with just a “6 inches difference” making it a potentially disastrous scenario.
Records from the arrest reveal that Hampton reported waiting for a car at the intersection. When the car moved, she attempted to cross the tracks, but the vehicle stopped again. This misjudgment may have contributed to the close call.
Further details emerged in the arrest documents, where Hampton said she never stopped on the tracks. She noted that the railroad crossing alarm was activated while she was traveling, leading her to keep moving until the bus was clear.
Based on video evidence, authorities concluded that Hampton made the decision to cross the railroad tracks after noticing the warning signals, thereby exposing the students and the bus aide to significant danger.
Some students recounted their experiences. Cheyenne Gant, 12, expressed her fear during the incident, recalling how they shouted “Train!” yet Hampton did not react promptly. After appearing in court, Hampton was granted a bail of $30,000 and reportedly did not answer questions from the media following her release from jail.
