CRESTVIEW — A Bob Sikes Elementary School student’s mother is concerned that the Okaloosa County School District has not dismissed her child’s school bus driver following a minor accident.
A school district spokesperson says there’s a reason for that.
Lorita McLaren, Bus 99-12’s driver, rounded a narrow, sharper than 90-degree left curve in Jones Road on April 15 when she struck an oncoming Chevrolet Avalanche with a 17-year-old motorist inside, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
A 7-year-old received a minor injury, and the Avalanche and bus received $1,000 and $500 in damage, respectively, according to the FHP report.
FHP cited the 45-year-old Crestview woman for “failure to use (a) designated lane” in the dirt road, which has no lane markers.
A Bob Sikes mother, whose child was on the bus, sent a private Facebook message to other parents, encouraging them to “raise concerns” about McLaren with the school district transportation office.
School district spokesman Henry Kelley said the district can’t take action against an employee until charges are filed.
“We have to wait until a legal action is taken,” Kelley said. “Even though the police officer on scene said the driver is at fault, the court has not charged her.
“If the driver is charged, then we will take action in accordance with school board policy.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa School District responds to concerns about Crestview bus driver