Florida Driver Arrested After Train Strikes School Bus Carrying 29 Students

April 14, 2026

Florida law enforcement authorities arrested a veteran school bus driver for allegedly ignored railroad warning signals and driving into the path of an oncoming train that struck the rear of her vehicle with 29 students on board.

Yvonne Hampton, 67, a former driver for the Sumter County School District, faces charges of reckless driving, culpable negligence and 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred April 2 in Bushnell, Florida. Officials said a train clipped the back of school bus No. 2517 after Hampton drove onto the tracks despite active warning signals.

No injuries were reported, but students described the incident as terrifying.

Recounting the Near-Miss

Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bus, which reportedly showed the railroad crossing’s warning arms and sirens were activated at about 4:07 p.m. as the bus approached. Six seconds later, a woman’s voice, believed to be Hampton, was heard saying, “Not gonna stop for no train,” before the bus proceeded across the tracks. Moments later, the train struck the rear left side of the bus. Only cellphone video recorded by students inside the bus has been publicly shared.

Students could be heard reacting in panic in the video, with one shouting, “There is a train coming!” Authorities said Hampton told students to “get in your seats” seconds before impact.

Hampton told deputies she was already moving across the tracks when the warning system activated and that she continued forward as far as possible. Investigators, however, allege she ignored the signals and made the decision to cross despite the approaching train.

Sumter County Sheriff Pat Breeden said in an update that deputies working with the school district conducted a thorough investigation that led to the Florida driver’s arrest.

Superintendent Logan Brown said Hampton had worked for the district since 2015 and resigned in lieu of termination following the incident.

“The trust that our families place in us to transport their children safely is something we take extremely seriously,” Brown said in a video statement. “Anyone who jeopardizes that trust will not work in the Sumter County School District.”

Alleged Neglect Could Have Been Disastrous

Brown emphasized how narrowly a more serious tragedy was avoided.

“When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event,” he said, noting the collision missed a more severe impact by “a matter of six inches.”

Brown also praised the train conductor, who he said sounded the horn continuously and attempted to brake upon seeing the bus on the tracks.

“Based on everything we know, he did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he’s a hero in this situation,” Brown said.

Parents and students said the emotional impact remains significant. District officials said the crossing where the crash occurred lacks red traffic lights and provides limited clearance space for large vehicles after crossing the tracks. Following the incident, the district determined the location is unsafe for school bus routes and has since rerouted so school buses do not cross it.

Officials said they are reviewing additional safety measures. “We have also learned valuable lessons from this incident and are actively reviewing additional safety measures to ensure that something like this does not happen again,” Brown said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.