Florida school bus driver charged with 29 felony counts after CSX train clips bus; officials say students narrowly escaped catastrophe
A Sumter County school bus driver in Florida, Yvonne Hampton, 67, was arrested on April 2, 2025, and faces 29 felony counts after a CSX train clipped her bus while 29 students and an aide were aboard.
Key takeaways
- Driver: Yvonne Hampton, 67, employed by the Sumter County School District since 2015 — Fox News and KOMO News.
- When & where: April 2, 2025, at E Central Avenue and N Market Street in Bushnell, Florida.
- On board: 29 students and one adult aide; no injuries reported.
- Charges: 29 felony counts of child neglect (one per child), plus reckless driving, endangering an adult, and a citation for failing to stop; bond set at $30,000.
What happened
According to investigators and multiple videos, the bus driver drove onto active railroad tracks after the crossing warnings had activated. A CSX freight train clipped the rear corner of the school bus at the intersection in Bushnell, narrowly avoiding a full collision. No one on the bus was hurt.
“Trains don’t sneak up on people,” Sumter County Sheriff Pat Breeden said, noting deputies reviewed student-captured footage and other videos when announcing the arrest.
Driver’s account and investigators’ findings
Hampton told deputies she initially inched forward because a car was blocking the intersection, then stopped on the tracks when that car stopped. The arrest report states she later moved forward again after the railroad crossing warning system had activated. Investigators say video evidence shows she chose to cross while lights and gates were active, which they describe as “culpable negligence.” (Fox News)
Charges and court action
The state charged Hampton with 29 felony counts of child neglect (one per child on board), plus reckless driving and endangering an adult. She was booked at the Sumter County Jail and appeared in court on April 8, 2025; bond was set at $30,000 and she was released after posting bond. As of this article, no trial date has been announced. (Fox News, Sumter County video)
School district response and personnel action
Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown posted a district video saying the district takes families’ trust “extremely seriously.” He called the incident “sobering,” adding the train missed a full strike by “a matter of six inches.” School officials said Hampton resigned in lieu of termination. Local officials praised deputies for reviewing video and evidence that led to charges. (Fox News, KOMO News)
Video evidence and student accounts
Investigators reviewed multiple videos and audio from the bus, including student recordings that show crossing lights, gates, and the moment the train hit the side of the bus. A publicly posted clip reviewed by officials was central to the case; local reporting noted an interview with a student aired on national television programs. (Video of incident, Fox News)
Safety rules and rural road conditions
School bus drivers are trained to stop at railroad crossings and proceed only when it is safe and clear. In many rural areas, tight intersections and stopped vehicles can complicate decisions. Law enforcement emphasizes that gates, flashing lights, and bells indicate an approaching train and require drivers to stop and wait. Sheriff Breeden called the actions “poor decisions” and “poor judgment” that put children and an adult at risk. (KOMO News)
Why this matters to local communities
For rural families, the school bus is a daily lifeline. Incidents like this raise questions about driver training, staffing, and systems that protect children on rural roads and at railroad crossings. Districts may review crossing procedures, bus stop placement, and refresher training to restore community trust.
Implications for the United States
- Safety standards and training: Rural districts nationwide may review driver training for railroad crossings and blocked intersections, potentially prompting new state-level requirements.
- Liability and legal precedent: Charging a driver with a separate felony count per child signals prosecutors may treat similar alleged failures with heightened seriousness.
- Rural infrastructure: The Bushnell intersection underscores challenges with older crossings and tight streets that could trap vehicles on tracks.
- Parental trust and hiring: Districts may face pressure to improve screening, oversight, and communication to reassure families.
- Public awareness: Officials may renew safety campaigns urging drivers and school bus operators never to cross when lights flash or gates lower.
Source material and reporting notes
This report is based on local law enforcement statements, school district statements, public video and news coverage. Key sources include Fox News, KOMO News, and the video released by Sumter County authorities.
Reporting details
The driver appeared in Sumter County court on April 8, 2025. No trial date or further public statements from Yvonne Hampton were available at publication. School officials and law enforcement continue coordinating with families and community leaders following the near-miss. (Fox News, KOMO News, Sumter County video)
