A Florida school bus driver is now facing significant legal consequences after allegedly neglecting to heed warning signals and driving directly in front of an oncoming train. This alarming incident resulted in over two dozen charges of child neglect being filed against her.
The driver, 67-year-old Yvonne Hampton, was at the wheel of a bus teeming with nearly 30 children and two adults when the bus was struck by a train on Thursday. Local authorities have reported this serious lapse in judgment.
A harrowing video captured the tense moments as the bus, filled with schoolchildren, found itself perilously close to the train tracks. The footage is filled with the chilling sound of screams echoing through the bus.
The video reveals a student shouting, “What the f*** is wrong with you?” highlighting the sheer terror and confusion that gripped those onboard.
In the midst of the chaos, some students checked on their peers’ well-being while others were visibly shaken, their sobs audible as the train roared past. Despite the severity of the situation, the school district later confirmed that there were no reported injuries among the students and staff.
No injuries were reported among the students and staff, the school district confirmed in a statement.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s office responded to the harrowing scene that unfolded at Central Avenue and N Market Street in Bushnell.
Hampton, who has worked in the district for over a decade, drove over the railroad crossing after the warning lights flashed and the guardrails lowered, according to the arrest report obtained by WESH2.
A Florida school bus driver faces more than two dozen child neglect charges for ignoring warning lights and crossing in front of an oncoming train
Terrifying video showed the schoolkids on the bus, dangerously close to the train tracks
Yvonne Hampton, 67, has been employed with district for over 10 years. She was driving a bus carrying nearly 30 children and two adults, when it was clipped by a train on Thursday
Shocking video and audio reviewed by police reportedly capture a voice believed to be Hampton’s, saying, ‘not gonna stop for no train.’
The 67-year-old later told detectives that she was already driving over the crossing when the warning lights kicked on. But video evidence showed otherwise, per the report.
Hampton faces 29 child neglect charges, with her bond set at $30,000.
‘I want to reiterate just how fortunate we are,’ Sumter County District School superintendent Logan Brown said to FOX35.
‘When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event.’
Brown added that ‘it was a matter of six inches,’ and the outcome could have been ‘extremely catastrophic.’
‘I also hurt for the kids because this is something they’ll remember forever,’ Brown told the outlet.
Summer County Sheriff’s Office and school board gave a statement about the incident
The frightening scene unfolded at Central Avenue and N Market Street in Bushnell, Florida
‘It’s unfortunate that it happened but we’ve taken very calculated measures to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.’
The train conductor reportedly saw the school bus on the tracks and tried to brake while blaring the horn.
‘Based on everything we know, [the conductor] did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he’s a hero in this situation,’ Brown added.
The incident is currently under review by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County School District.
