SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Parents Question School Bus Driver After Crash
May 8, 2007

A 77-year-old school bus driver in Sparta is under fire Tuesday night after a terrible bus accident left several students injured.

Some parents in White County are calling for his resignation after learning he had some minor accidents in the past.

The driver, Boyd Roberts, said the claims against him are exaggerated.

Roberts, a Baptist minister and bus driver for the past 17 years, is well known in Sparta.

Now, he is currently on administrative leave after an accident at the intersection of Roads 285 and 70.

Several of the 25 students on board suffered minor incidents.

Student Jack Bales was one of them.

He said near collisions occur almost daily when Roberts is behind the wheel.

He said, “Everyday we almost get hit by a car when we’re crossing the very same highway… Everyday ‘cause he don’t stop…”

Bales said he fears for his life.

Bales’ father Tom said the issue has been ignored by the school.

“When we brought this to the school’s superintendent, he didn’t seem to care too much and pretty much blew it off,” said Tom Bales.

In response, Roberts said the students do not do what they’re told and do not sit in their seats properly. Ifthey did, they’d be no problem.

Roberts also said he has been a safe bus driver.

Parents want him replaced saying he has had other accidents, including one with his personal car, in the past.

White County’s school superintendent was unable to talk to News 2 about allegations that he is ignoring parents.