A 4-year-old student was dragged approximately 15 feet by a Cato-Meridian Central School District bus in New York after her backpack became caught in the door as the vehicle began moving, highlighting the importance of safety in the danger zone, especially as School Bus Safety Week approaches this month.
According to New York State Police the incident occurred Sept. 23. Investigators determined that the child’s backpack remained caught in the door after she exited the bus and that the driver traveled approximately 15 feet before realizing what had happened and stopping.
The student was not injured, State Police said.
Donna Cooper, the child’s grandmother and legal guardian, told local news reporters that she was waiting outside the family’s home on Follett Road when her granddaughter, Riley, arrived home from school.
Cooper said the bus doors closed after Riley stepped outside while her backpack was still caught inside. She and her husband ran after the bus and screamed for the driver to stop. The bus eventually stopped between their driveway and the next driveway, she said.
“The bus driver closes the door, catches her backpack in the door and then just drives right away, dragging her,” Cooper told the news outlet.
Cooper recalled watching Riley attempt to move forward before the bus pulled away.
“All I see is her face when the door closed,” Cooper said. “I’m watching it in slow motion and I can see her trying to step forward. But then the bus takes off and just the look on her face.”
Cooper said the driver briefly apologized but did not exit the bus to check on Riley. The family took the prekindergarten student to an urgent care facility, which confirmed that she had not been physically injured.
Riley’s grandfather called 911 and later met State Police at the school. State Police told School Transportation News that investigators reviewed video of the incident and spoke with those involved. The school district was notified and began its own administrative investigation.
“Following a review of the circumstances, no criminal charges will be filed,” State Police said. “The Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office also reviewed the incident and declined prosecution.”
The district has not publicly disclosed the driver’s employment status, citing restrictions on discussing individual personnel matters. Riley’s family told local reporters that the driver had not returned to the route following the incident.
In a statement provided to local news reporters, the district said student safety and well-being remain its highest priority. The district said it was reviewing the circumstances, cooperating with law enforcement and had procedures in place to prevent another occurrence.
“We remain deeply committed to ensuring every child arrives home safely each day,” the district stated.
STN contacted the district for its official statement and additional information about the driver’s status and the preventive procedures but did not receive a response as of publication.
Cooper questioned why school bus doors do not use sensors that prevent them from closing when an object is caught between them, similar to systems used on elevators and automatic doors. Several companies have displayed such technology at STN EXPO trade shows, though adoption is minimal.
“My main goal here is I want awareness brought to this,” Cooper said. “I mean, both my husband and I have done a lot of research online, and this happens a lot, way more than it should. And nobody’s talking about it.”
Related: Indiana Student Dragged Down Street by School Bus
Related: Canadian Child Dragged by School Bus
Related: Maine Student Caught in School Bus Door is Dragged Down the Road
Related: Video Shows 8-Year-Old Autistic Girl Dragged Off School Bus
