SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A school bus driver faces 29 felony charges of child neglect following a train collision that endangered the lives of 29 children and an adult.
Authorities announced that Yvonne Hampton was charged after the incident at the intersection of E Central Avenue and N Market Street on April 2 in Bushnell. Emergency responders from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene.
Sheriff Pat Breeden and School Superintendent Logan Brown confirmed the arrest via a social media video. “The bus driver made poor decisions that could have resulted in the death of 29 children and one adult,” Breeden stated.
The sheriff commended his team for their thorough investigation and thanked the school board for providing video footage that aided the inquiry. He highlighted the importance of train safety, noting, “Trains don't sneak up on people. It was poor judgment that placed children at risk.”
In addition to the 29 counts of child neglect, Hampton faces one charge of endangering an adult.
Superintendent Brown described the situation as “unfortunate” and reiterated the commitment to student safety through collaboration with law enforcement.