A school bus driver is facing multiple child neglect charges after disregarding warning signals and crossing paths with an approaching train. Yvonne Hampton, aged 67, was behind the wheel of a school bus with 29 children and two adults onboard when it was hit by a train on Thursday, April 2, as reported by the police. Shocking footage captured the schoolchildren near the train tracks, with screams of panic filling the air.
Fortunately, there were no injuries among the students and staff, as confirmed by the school district in a statement issued by Superintendent Logan W. Brown. Brown expressed gratitude for the safety of all individuals involved, emphasizing that student well-being is their utmost priority. The incident is currently being investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County School District.
Acknowledgment was extended to the swift and professional response of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County Fire Department for ensuring the safety of everyone at the scene. Additionally, appreciation was given to the administrators from South Sumter Middle School and South Sumter High School for their assistance in safely reuniting students with their parents. The community’s patience and support were also recognized during this process, with updates promised as necessary.
In a subsequent update shared on Facebook, Sheriff Breeden criticized the bus driver’s actions, stating that the driver’s poor decisions could have had fatal consequences for the children and adults on board. Breeden emphasized the importance of exercising good judgment, highlighting that trains do not approach silently and that risky decisions put lives at risk.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the Sumter County School District are actively reviewing the incident to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
