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A Florida school bus driver has been arrested and charged with 29 felony counts of child neglect after a train clipped the rear of her bus in Bushnell, Sumter County. According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Yvonne Hampton was transporting 29 children and two adults when she allegedly drove through a railroad crossing after warning lights had activated and crossing arms had begun to descend.
Investigators reviewed video and audio from inside the bus. The footage reportedly captured a voice believed to be Hampton's saying, "not gonna stop for no train," before the collision occurred. Deputies said Hampton later told them she was already crossing the tracks when the warning system turned on, but video evidence contradicted her account.
Sheriff Pat Breeden stated, "The bus driver made poor decisions that could have resulted in the death of 29 children and one adult." He credited his deputies and school officials for their cooperation and swift investigation.
No injuries were reported among the students or staff, according to a statement from Logan Brown, superintendent of the Sumter County School District. Superintendent Brown added, "Student safety is our top priority, and we are incredibly thankful that everyone is safe." He also thanked first responders and school administrators for their quick actions following the crash.
Hampton, who had worked for the school district for more than a decade, was fired on the day of the incident. She appeared before a judge on Tuesday (April 7), facing charges of culpable negligence, reckless driving, and 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Her bond was set at $30,000, and she was released from the Sumter County jail that evening.
The school district has since removed the crossing from its bus routes and is reviewing its hiring process for drivers. The incident remains under review by law enforcement and the school district.