LYNNWOOD – A school bus driver has been placed on paid administrative leave after a bus mirror hit a parent at a bus stop, school officials said.
“This is a very emotional and upsetting situation for a lot of people,” said Debbie Jakala, a spokeswoman for the Edmonds School District.
The incident took place in the 18300 block of 52nd Avenue W. in Lynnwood when the driver drove back and forth at the bus stop because some students weren’t behaving, said Shannon Sessions, a spokeswoman for the Lynnwood Police Department.
A parent, oblivious to the situation inside the bus, stepped in front of the bus to stop it and was bumped by a mirror, Sessions said. The parent was not hurt.
“Right now, this is a he-said, she-said situation for us.” Sessions said. The investigation is continuing, she added.
A school bus driver has the authority to pass a stop for a safety or behavioral issue, Jakala said.
The 57-year-old driver, who has been with the school district since April 2003, was assigned to a new route earlier this month, she said.
Before arriving at the bus stop, the driver left Cedar Valley Community School around 3:45 p.m. and had trouble with unruly students, officials said. He drove back to the school, and an administrator removed two students from the bus. Two others also got off voluntarily.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker contributed to this report.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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