A South Carolina school district has settled a lawsuit after a bus driver dragged an 8-year-old girl alongside a moving school bus when her arm became trapped in the closing door—then allegedly told her “serves you right” because she had hesitated to exit.
The mother’s federal lawsuit detailed how the driver continued driving despite the child’s screams and her arm visibly caught in the door mechanism. The settlement amount was not disclosed, but court records show the case resolved before trial.
What the Lawsuit Alleges Happened
According to the complaint, the incident occurred when the second-grader was exiting the bus at her designated stop. When the child paused momentarily before stepping off—typical behavior for a young child—the driver became angry and closed the door while her arm was still in the doorway.
Rather than immediately stopping when the girl screamed, the driver continued driving with her arm trapped, dragging her alongside the bus. Witnesses reported the child’s terrified cries as the bus moved forward with her caught in the door.
When the driver finally stopped and opened the door, he allegedly told the injured child the incident was her fault for not getting off quickly enough, saying “serves you right,” according to the lawsuit.
The Child’s Injuries and Aftermath
The girl sustained injuries to her arm and shoulder requiring medical treatment. Beyond the physical trauma, her mother’s lawsuit documented ongoing psychological effects, including fear of school buses and anxiety about going to school.
The lawsuit named both the driver and the school district, arguing the district failed to properly train and supervise its drivers. School districts typically face liability for their employees’ actions during the course of their duties, including student transportation.
What Parents Should Know
School bus drivers undergo background checks and training, but this case highlights gaps in oversight. Parents entrust their children to these drivers twice daily, often with no other adults present to witness problems.
The settlement likely includes confidentiality provisions typical in such cases, preventing public disclosure of the payment amount or other terms. The driver’s current employment status was not disclosed in available court documents.
South Carolina law requires school districts to maintain insurance for student injuries, but serious incidents involving driver negligence or misconduct can exceed standard coverage limits, potentially affecting district budgets funded by local taxpayers.
Key Points
- Bus driver allegedly continued driving with second-grader’s arm caught in closing door, dragging her alongside the vehicle
- Driver told the injured child “serves you right” for not exiting quickly enough, according to the federal lawsuit
- School district settled the case before trial; settlement amount remains confidential under typical terms
