Posted on 03/27/2007 5:18:00 AM PDT by Calpernia
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said it will not recommend endangerment charges against a bus driver who left a six year old special needs elementary schooler alone for several hours aboard a parked school bus during the March 16 storm. Hamilton Police had been investigating whether to charge Suzanne Brewer, 56, a substitute driver and office manager at the Delaware Valley Bus Line. Brewer, who has worked for the bus company for more than 25 years, has not been disciplined by her employer.
In an exclusive interview with Millennium Radio, the family of the boy who was forgotten on the bus said they were furious Brewer will escape punishment.
"It's crazy," said Abdul Shaheid, the boy's dad. "I don't understand how you can just leave a child on the bus if that is what you are responsible for. As being a long time employee, you should understand standard operating procedures that you have an aid with you."
The six year old is so frightened he refuses to take the school bus anymore. "He's afraid of being left on the bus again. Everytime he sees a bus, he'll ask us, 'Are you going to go wth me?' He won't do it by himself," said the boy's mom, Yolanda. "Any type of average, grown person would know if they had a child they should always check the bus."
The youngster said he gets "sad" when he sees the bus and fears being alone on it. The special needs first grader was found by a passer-by wandering Trenton cold and crying several hours after he was left by the driver. He is okay, but his father now drives him across Trenton to bring him to and from school.
Millennium Radio attempted to interview Brewer at her Florence home, but a woman who answered the door said she was not in. The Delaware Valley Bus Line has steadfastly refused to answer questions about the incident.
In addition to forgetting the youngster on the bus, Millennium Radio has learned Brewer also failed to bring on her route an aide, as is required for special needs students.
Brewer, a substitute driver, got behind the wheel on March 16 because thirteen of the company's fleet were placed out of service during a surprise inspection by an MVC and State Police task force earlier that day. Of 15 buses inspected at random, 13 were failed for "major safety problems," like steering or breaking. The surprise inspection was prompted by parents' complaints about the condition of buses and the MVC's own concerns stemming from a routinely scheduled inspection at the company's Hamilton depot. During the inspection in January, 46 of 49 company buses were failed for minor or major safety problems, according to MVC inspection records.
The Delaware Valley Bus Line is contracted to transport students in four Mercer County school districts, including Trenton and Hamilton, and the Upper Freehold Regional school district in Monmouth County, according to State Department of Education records.
ping
ping
Parents laying the groundwork for a civil suit.
This woman left the child alone, he was able to exit the bus and wander the streets.
NO PUNISHMENT??????????????
This was in the middle of an ice storm.
Sick. What is up with our world that you can't make a mistake anymore. I know this was not a great situation. She was at the job for 25 years. If it was my kid, of course I would be upset, but I think after I got the WHOLE story, I would definitely be against charging her.
Martin Di Caro was just on NJ101.5 telling Jim Gearhart that Suzanne Brewer is connected to some high level politicians.
Of 15 buses inspected at random, 13 were failed for "major safety problems," like steering or breaking
Should be "braking"
In any event, sounds like their maintenance practices are lousy. I wonder if they take these to the "Sopranos Garage" and no work is being performed for the money they pay?
Bus drivers are required to check the bus before exiting. This driver was a manager at the company and didn't even bring the aide on the route.
But of course!
Parents are entitled to every dime they can get from the bus company.
I read after my rant. lol. I am still wondering about this several hours thing...
"Of 15 buses inspected at random, 13 were failed for "major safety problems," like steering or breaking."...that would be "braking," were a proof reader awake.
Sounds as though the child was safer being in the parked bus rather than the rolling death-traps this company was running. Who owns this bus company? Strange that this information wasn't given, because the employer is responsible for the drivers and for the buses. The owner of the company should have been identified and interviewed by some enterprising reporter. That's who the parents of all the children transported ought to be upset with...along with the feckless school board, who hired this shoddy outfit.
So the child was able to exit the bus and wander the streets in an ice storm.......and you're sooooo understanding???????????????????????????????????
Is the driver a relative of yours?????????????
You certainly don't seem to care about the safety of the 6 yr. old.
Really? Every dime? Close it down completely?
Yup!
More on the buses conditions and inspections at this post:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1804271/posts?page=7#7
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