School bus hit; 4th this year

For the fourth time this school year a school bus was struck by another vehicle last week.

At 12:24 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, Claudio Saucedo-Chevez was traveling down North Hasket St. East, driving a 1996 Ford station wagon. Chavez failed to yield to the First Student Bus at the intersection of E. 12th North St. causing the Chavez's vehicle to be struck on the passenger side.

Chavez fled the scene, but was later issued a citation for leaving the scene and driving without privileges.

Fortunately, no children were injured in the accident.

"The public is not willing to stop for the buses or abide by the rules of the road," said Karen Azman, contract manager for First Student, Inc.

According to Azman, this collision marks the fourth time since October, that their buses have been hit. Azman noted there has been a lot of near misses as well. The cases have been based on drivers not stopping at signs or for the stop arms on the bus, and beating red lights.

"Thanks to the standards of defensive driving that we have been taught we are able to avoid near misses. It's just people are not paying attention and the children's lives are at stake," said Cheryl Isaacs, First Student head dispatcher.