Bus driver charged with negligent driving, child endangerment

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) – A school bus driver in Fall River faces a dozen charges as Police investigate a child endangerment incident on her bus.

Around 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Fall River Police received reports of a school bus carrying students from Argosy Charter School driving erratically on city streets.

Police located the bus around 4:20 p.m. at the intersection of King Phillip Street and Tuttle Street. The bus was parked on the side of the road with no indication of any motor vehicle crash damage.

Officers entered the bus to investigate, locating 11 students complaining of minor injuries. As a precaution, the students were transported to area hospitals for evaluation.

According to Police, the operator of the bus, identified as Kimberly Samson, 45, of Westport, Mass., had allegedly missed several scheduled bus stops, continuing to drive instead of dropping students off.

Police said a disturbance began as students asked Samson to stop the bus. She ignored the requests and students subsequently began to contact their families, at which point Police were notified.

Samson eventually stopped the bus suddenly at the intersection of King Phillip and Tuttle Streets, causing some students to be thrown forward by the momentum.

Samson was taken into custody and charged with Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and 11 counts of Wanton & Reckless Endangerment of a Child.

Police are investigating, collecting witness statements and possible video evidence.

ABC6 reached out to The Fisher Bus Company of Somerset, Mass., Samson’s employer. Representatives said they have no comment at this time.

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