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Driver Charged After Florida School Bus Is Clipped by Train

District-posted video is prompting a safety review of the crossing.

Overview

  • A Sumter County school bus carrying 29 students and an aide was clipped by a CSX freight train at a railroad crossing, and no injuries were reported.
  • Driver Yvonne Hampton was arrested and faces 29 felony child-neglect counts plus culpable negligence and reckless driving, and she was released on a $30,000 bond.
  • Investigators say video shows the bus crossing after warning lights, bells, and gate arms activated, and an arrest report cites culpable negligence.
  • Hampton told police a car ahead moved then stopped, leaving part of the bus on the tracks as the signals activated.
  • The district removed the East Central Avenue crossing from bus routes and said the driver failed the required stop, open-door, look, and listen procedure, and local investigations are ongoing.