MAMARONECK, N.Y. — The driver of a mini-school bus that struck and killed a kindergartner and his mother as they were walking to school in suburban New York will not face criminal charges but has been ticketed for failing to yield to pedestrians and for using his cellphone minutes before the crash, police said Friday.
The 68-year-old driver is keeping his job and could be back behind the wheel when the school year starts next week, police in the Westchester County village of Mamaroneck said, according to the Journal News.
The crash happened at around 8:30 a.m. June 20 as Molly Murphy Donovan, 43, and her 6-year-old son, Michael Donovan Volpe, were walking to school.
The minibus driven by the 68-year-old hit the mother and child when they were about half a block from Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and the mother died of her injuries at a hospital.
A report released Friday by the Westchester County Police Department found that the driver might have been distracted by an ambulance that was responding to an unrelated call with its lights and sirens on.
The driver had used his cellphone less than two minutes before the crash but was not on his phone when he hit the mother and child, police said.
A message seeking comment was sent to the school bus company, Royal Coach Lines.
A tragic school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee that claimed the lives of a 6-year-old child and his mother has left many in the community reeling. The driver of the school bus, who was involved in the accident, will not face criminal charges, according to the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office.
The crash occurred on a rainy morning when the school bus, carrying 37 children from Woodmore Elementary School, veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The impact of the crash was devastating, resulting in the deaths of 6-year-old Zyaira Mateen and his mother, Jasmine Mateen. Several other children were also injured in the accident.
The driver of the school bus, Johnthony Walker, was charged with six counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving following the crash. However, after a thorough investigation, the District Attorney’s Office determined that there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges against Walker.
While the decision not to press criminal charges may be disappointing to some, it is important to remember that legal proceedings are based on evidence and facts. In this case, it appears that there was not enough evidence to prove that Walker’s actions were criminally negligent.
The tragic incident has sparked a conversation about school bus safety and the importance of ensuring that drivers are properly trained and equipped to transport children safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation for children, but accidents can still happen.
In response to the crash, the Hamilton County School District has implemented new safety measures, including increased training for bus drivers and stricter guidelines for transporting students. The community has also come together to support the families affected by the tragedy, with fundraisers and memorials being held in honor of Zyaira and Jasmine Mateen.
While criminal charges may not be filed in this case, it is crucial that we continue to prioritize safety on our roads and ensure that tragedies like this one are prevented in the future. Our thoughts are with the families of Zyaira and Jasmine Mateen during this difficult time.
