By John Ball, Madison County Undersheriff
(Stockbridge, NY – Dec. 19, 2014) Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to investigate an incident that took place on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 18, on a Stockbridge Valley Central
School District school bus involving a 5 year old male student.
School district officials reported that a district student, age 5, was being transported home after school.
The bus driver, identified as Richard W. Snider, 67, of Munnsville, picked up approximately 27 students at the school after dismissal. At the bus’s first stop, no student exited the bus. At the second stop, the five year old male began to exit the bus after the driver opened the door. Simultaneous to this, the student who was to be let off at the first stop informed the bus driver they were still on the bus; the bus driver looked in his rear view mirror, acknowledged the student, closed the doors, and proceeded to the third stop on the route, a distance of nine tenths of a mile.
The 5 year old child was accidentally caught in the door of the bus by his backpack while attempting to get off, and suspended in the air. The driver was unaware of the situation and began driving to the next point on his bus route. When the driver reached the next stop, he saw what had occurred and immediately rendered assistance to the child.
.The child’s grandmother, who observed the incident from the residence the child was to be dropped off at, got into her vehicle and attempted to catch up to the bus. The grandmother did get behind the bus at the third stop when the child was noticed by the driver.
The child was turned over to the grandmother at that time. The grandmother made a 911 call during her attempt to catch the bus; when she had the child in her presence and confirmed he was not injured; she declined any response from emergency medical services or law enforcement.
There were no injuries to the child, who was evaluated at his residence shortly after the incident by the school nurse in the presence of the child’s father. Precautionary guidance was provided by the nurse at that time. The child’s family requested no charges against the driver.
Snider immediately tendered his resignation to school district officials. Both Snider and school officials have been fully cooperative during the investigation. Snider also voluntarily submitted to chemical screening at an area medical facility.
The investigation, including full review of the bus’s onboard video system, interviews with and statements given by Snider, the child’s family and school district officials has been completed.
The facts and circumstances surrounding this incident have been extensively examined and reviewed by Sheriff’s officials and the Madison County District Attorney’s Office. As Snider’s actions, as defined by NYS law, were not criminally reckless, and there were no violations of any section of other applicable laws, no charges will be filed against the bus driver.