SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A school bus driver in Florida now faces 29 felony charges of child neglect following a train collision that nearly endangered the lives of 29 children and an adult.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that Yvonne Hampton has been accused of 29 felony counts of child neglect.
The incident occurred at the intersection of E Central Avenue and N Market Street on April 2 in Bushnell, prompting a response from law enforcement.
Sheriff Pat Breeden posted a video on social media along with School Superintendent Logan Brown to announce the arrest.
“The bus driver made poor decisions that could have resulted in the death of 29 children and one adult,” Sheriff Breeden stated.
He emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation carried out by his team, thanking Deputy Hanson and Deputy Surreal for their diligent work. He also expressed gratitude towards the school board for their cooperation and for providing access to video footage that aided in the investigation.
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Sheriff Breeden emphasized that train safety is critical, saying, “Trains don’t sneak up on people. It was poor judgment that placed children at risk.”
In addition to the 29 counts of child neglect, the driver has also been charged with one count of endangering an adult.
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Superintendent Logan Brown added, “This is an unfortunate situation that could have ended a lot differently. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has been extremely great to work with, and we will always collaborate to keep our kids safe.”