WATCH: SUV captured on video plowing past stopped school bus in Bridgeville

What not to do when approaching a 30,000 lb school bus with flashing red lights, it’s stop sign (also flashing) and it’s crossing arm out: 1. Keep driving 2. Swerve when the bus honks it’s horn to alert you that you are about to break rule number 1 3. Show the bus driver and surrounding parents via a hand gesture that they are “number 1” while your breaking both rules 1 and 2. This individual not only did all of the above, showing blatant disregard for the safety and welfare of the children boarding this bus, but also showed their lack of concern by hanging up on Bridgeville Police when contacted regarding this matter, but not before stating words to the effect of: (we called from a blocked number). Suspect: “Hello unknown caller”. Ofc. Friendly: “Hello”. Suspect: “How can I help you unknown caller”? Ofc. Friendly: “This is the BPD and am I speaking with John/Jane Doe”? Suspect: “Yes”. Ofc. Friendly: “We had a complaint filed that you passed a school bus on Bank Street and we would like to get your side of the story before making a decision on how to handle the matter”. Suspect: do you have a good picture that shows me driving the vehicle? Ofc. Friendly: “We have a video and”...(ofc interrupted by suspect). Suspect: “Send the citation!! I’ll see you in court”!! Click, dial tone... We, here at the BPD understand people make mistakes. After all, we generally don’t deal with people because they’re having the best day of their life. Because of this, we allow our officers to have discretion on how they handle matters like this. This individual did not leave us much of a choice. So yes, we are sending the citation, we will see you in court along with the bus driver, and several witnesses/angry parents who gave a very good description of you. Rest assured we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law and we will be watching as many of the bus stops as possible as we always do. This message is a reminder to always have situational awareness not only while driving, but while your children are waiting for, and boarding their buses. No children were harmed. The video was taken by the bus dashcam. The driver did not let any children leave the bus until the vehicle in question was safely past the bus. Side notes: This video has been modified to remove sound so as not to identify the driver as he/she is innocent until proven guilty. The quality of the video is due to the change in format to allow for upload to our Facebook Page.

Posted by Bridgeville Police Department on Friday, November 16, 2018