Florida bus driver charged with nearly 30 counts of child neglect after CSX train clips school bus in Bushnell
Yvonne Hampton, 67, a former Sumter County Schools bus driver, faces 29 counts of child neglect and additional misdemeanor charges after a CSX train clipped the rear corner of her school bus in Bushnell, Florida, last week; no students or the aide were injured.
Key takeaways
- Who: Yvonne Hampton, 67, employed by Sumter County Schools since 2015.
- What: 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm (one per student), plus two misdemeanors including reckless driving and culpable negligence.
- Where/When: Railroad crossing in Bushnell, Sumter County, Florida; incident occurred last week. Hampton appeared in court on April 7, 2026.
- Legal outcome: Combined bond set at $30,000; Hampton posted bond and was released with conditions barring contact with bus occupants, returning to district property, or driving a bus.
What happened
Authorities say a CSX train clipped the rear corner of a school bus carrying 29 students and one aide after the bus proceeded across tracks while the railroad crossing’s warning signals — lights, bells and lowering arms — were active. Investigators reviewed surveillance and dash-cam footage that appears to show the bus inching onto the crossing as warnings were engaged.
What the video and arrest record show
Investigators reviewed footage that appears to capture the bus moving onto the tracks as the train struck its rear corner. Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown described the margin as extremely narrow: “a matter of six inches is the difference in all of this,” calling the incident “sobering.” The superintendent’s remarks are available in the district video linked below.
The arrest report quotes Hampton saying a vehicle initially blocked the crossing; she said she waited, the car moved, she proceeded, then the car stopped again leaving part of the bus on the tracks. Hampton told officers she pulled up when the car moved again but “it was not enough.” Investigators, citing video evidence, concluded Hampton made a conscious decision to enter the tracks after the warning devices had activated, which they say constitutes culpable negligence placing the children and aide at risk.
Reporting and footage reviewed by local and national outlets include coverage from Fox News and local coverage by FOX 35 Orlando. The district’s video statement from the superintendent is at the superintendent’s video.
Charges and court proceedings
Prosecutors filed 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm — one for each student on the bus — with a $1,000 bond per count (totaling $29,000). Two additional misdemeanor counts (including reckless driving and culpable negligence) carried $500 bond each, bringing combined bond to $30,000. Because deputies reported Hampton had no prior convictions, prosecutors did not oppose bond; she posted bond and was released the same day she appeared in court on April 7, 2026.
Court conditions prohibit Hampton from contacting any bus occupants or their families, returning to Sumter County Schools property, or operating a school bus. Observers reported Hampton left the courthouse in a red pickup truck and declined to speak to reporters. Local authorities released a mugshot and images of the damaged bus.
District response and personnel action
Sumter County School District Superintendent Logan Brown addressed families in a Facebook video, emphasizing the district’s responsibility to transport children safely:
“The trust that our families place in us to transport their children safely is something we take extremely seriously. Anyone who jeopardizes that trust will not work in the Sumter County School District.”
The district confirmed Hampton had been employed since 2015 and said she resigned in lieu of termination after an internal review and coordination with law enforcement as the criminal investigation proceeded.
Eyewitness accounts and media interviews
Local television footage shows students on the bus after the incident; no serious injuries were reported. Media outlets, including ABC’s Good Morning America, reportedly interviewed a student who was on board. Local news video appears to corroborate that the bus moved slowly onto the crossing while warning signals were active and that the train clipped the bus’s rear.
Safety protocols and legal context
School bus drivers are trained to stop, look and listen at railroad crossings; to obey warning signals; and to never proceed until the crossing is clearly clear. Prosecutors contend Hampton’s decision to cross after warning devices activated amounts to culpable negligence. Charging one count of child neglect per student reflects how statutes can apply when an act places multiple minors at risk.
Although the charges do not allege “great bodily harm,” child neglect convictions can carry fines and jail time, depending on judicial outcomes, plea negotiations and case specifics. Hampton’s lack of prior convictions was noted when bond was set and may influence future proceedings.
Implications for the United States
The Bushnell near-catastrophe underscores the weight of responsibility for school transportation safety and may prompt districts to revisit hiring, training, crossing procedures, in-vehicle camera policies and supervisory checks. For communities focused on accountability, the case illustrates the pressure to enforce rules and hold employees accountable while balancing fair treatment for long-serving staff who may face split-second decisions amid blocked intersections or unpredictable traffic.
Legally, charging multiple counts for one incident raises broader questions other jurisdictions will watch: how statutes are applied when many minors are endangered by a single act, and how bail and pretrial conditions are handled when public safety concerns are high despite no injuries.
Community impact and emergency planning
Near-misses can leave emotional and logistical effects even without physical injuries. School districts may increase outreach about emergency procedures and counseling resources for students and staff involved in traumatic events. The incident highlights the need for clear communication among schools, law enforcement, families and rail companies in the immediate aftermath.
Ongoing coverage and next steps
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the train striking the bus’s rear corner. Legal proceedings will follow the filing of charges, and the district says internal employment actions are complete with Hampton’s resignation. Local media have posted video and images tied to the incident; court records reflect the conditions under which Hampton was released on bond.
For updates and primary source material, see local reporting at FOX 35 Orlando, national coverage at Fox News, and the district superintendent’s statement.
