Parents in a Colorado school district are facing a harrowing situation after a substitute bus driver dropped 40 elementary school students off at the wrong stop in Castle Rock. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community and left the children and their parents in a state of panic.
"In Castle Rock, a School Bus Nightmare Unfolds"
Substitute Driver's Error
A substitute bus driver with the Douglas County School District made a grave mistake on Monday. Instead of dropping the students off at the correct bus stop, they were left miles from home and school. The fear in the children's eyes was palpable. Ashley Stark's 7- and 10-year-old daughters were on the bus, and she described their terror. "The kids were petrified. The fear in their eyes. All the kids said that they felt like they were being kidnapped." Tony Martin, the father of an 8-year-old on the bus, echoed these sentiments. "That night she was very hysterical. Didn't want to be alone because she said she felt like she was being kidnapped."These children reported that the bus driver was driving erratically, yelling at them, and forcing them to get off the bus in 30-degree weather. Stark's words are a stark reminder of the distress these children endured. "My kids were left stranded and abandoned on the side of the road at dark, and a stranger brought my children home."District's Response
The Douglas County School District has confirmed that the incident occurred and is currently investigating the circumstances. They are watching video footage from the school bus to get a clearer picture of what happened. In an email to families on Thursday, the district expressed their apologies. "I want to sincerely express my deepest apologies for the unsettling experience your children endured on Monday afternoon. Through our investigation, we have gained a better understanding of what occurred and feel it is important to share the details we can confirm with you."It was revealed that a relief driver was covering route #253. Relief drivers are full-time employees who step in when needed. The bus stopped just short of the usual location on the third stop, leading to confusion. As a result, the remaining 40 students got off at the wrong stop. The driver failed to follow protocol by not immediately notifying the transportation dispatch. This driver is no longer employed by the district. The regular driver assigned to route #253 is currently out but will return soon.As a parent himself, the Chief Operations Officer of the Douglas County School District understands the concern and fear this incident has caused. "I can only imagine how concerning and frightening this experience must have been for you and your children. We are actively reinforcing our safety procedures with all of our drivers."Some parents have expressed a desire to view the video footage from the bus on Monday. However, due to the ongoing investigation with the Castle Rock Police Department, the video cannot be shared at this time.The district and school leadership are committed to supporting the families through this troubling incident. If parents have further questions or concerns, they are encouraged to contact the Chief Operations Officer.The driver has been let go following the incident, and the community is left to grapple with the aftermath. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety of our children during their daily commutes.