Additional Coverage:
- Florida school bus driver charged with 29 counts of child neglect after driving onto train track (irishstar.com)
A Florida school bus driver has been arrested after allegedly intentionally driving into the path of an oncoming train while transporting 29 middle school students. The incident occurred on April 7 in Sumter County and was captured on video by one of the students aboard the bus.
The footage reveals children screaming in fear, yelling at the driver with cries of “What is wrong with you?” and “There is a train coming!”
as the train speeds dangerously close to the bus.
Authorities identified the driver as 67-year-old Yvonne Hampton. Witnesses reported that Hampton drove through a railroad crossing despite active warning signals indicating an approaching train. The train struck the rear of the bus, severely damaging it, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
Hampton told police she could not clear the tracks due to a vehicle ahead of her, but video evidence contradicts this claim. In the recording, she is heard saying, “Not gonna stop for no train.” Following the incident, Hampton was arrested and charged with over two dozen counts of child neglect, as well as culpable negligence and reckless driving.
Lee County Sheriff Patrik Breeden condemned Hampton’s actions, stating, “Trains don’t sneak up on people, folks. It was poor judgment, and that’s what led to this arrest.” He emphasized the severity of the situation, noting the potential for a tragic outcome involving the children and the driver.
Hampton was released on bond pending further legal proceedings. The Sumter County School District has confirmed that she was terminated from her position as a bus driver, a job she held for more than ten years. Superintendent Logan Brown expressed the gravity of the near-disaster in a video statement, calling the incident “sobering” given how close the children came to serious harm.