SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Family of Girl Dragged by School Bus Files Lawsuit
March 17, 2007

COVINA - The family of a 12-year-old girl dragged about 30 feet by a school bus this week took the first step in filing a lawsuit against Covina-Valley Unified School District.
Attorneys for young girl, Stacy Rosales, filed a claim Thursday with the district for the personal injuries and emotional and psychological trauma she allegedly suffered during the incident.

Ronald Murrey, chief business officer for Covina-Valley Unified, said until the district receives the claim he had no comment.

The accident occurred about 3 p.m. Tuesday as the girl was exiting the bus near Griswold Adult Center, 16209 E. San Bernardino Road, said Sgt. Billy Rangel of the California Highway Patrol.

As she was getting off, Rangel said the bus door closed on one of her ankles. The driver didn't realize what had happened and began driving, dragging the girl, who suffered moderate injuries, he said.

The accident was not reported to the CHP until about an hour after it occurred, Rangel said.

According to the claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, the bus driver "negligently and recklessly" closed the doors on Rosales' foot.

"The other children on the bus had to tell the driver that the door was closed on my daughter's foot," said Rosales' mother, Ena Martinez.

Martinez was outraged at the way the bus driver handled the incident. She said she reported the incident to the CHP that day and had to take her daughter to the doctor that night.

Murrey said Covina-Valley Unified notified the CHP Wednesday morning and that the district has a 24-hour window to report bus accidents.

State law says "whenever any school bus accident occurs, the driver shall stop at the scene, immediately notify or cause to be notified the department, his or her employer, and the school district for which the bus may be operated under contract."

CHP Officer Michele Dobbs, who tests and certifies school bus drivers, said "department" refers to the Highway Patrol.

The investigations by the CHP and the district are ongoing.

"We are investigating what transpired to determine how this incident occurred, who is at fault and if there's fault to what degree," said district Superintendent Louis Pappas.

The driver has been working for Covina-Valley Unified since August 2001. She is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Murrey said.

"Dispatch listening to the driver and having the grandmother there determined the child was not injured sufficiently," Murrey said. "It was determined there was not an injury that required calling the California Highway Patrol."

Officials have not yet determined whether charges will be brought against the driver, Rangel said. Dobbs will review the report, authorities said.

Martinez said the situation has "been devastating to me and my daughter."

She said her daughter suffered severe cuts to her arms, legs and hip. Rosales is at home and will probably be back at school next week, when she recovers from her injuries, her mother added.

By Ruby Gonzales and Brian Day, Staff Writers

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