SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2003

Dramatic Video Shows School Bus Rolling Over
Driver Could Be Fined For Rollover
September 30, 2003

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- Video of a Pickaway County school bus that veered off a road and rolled onto its side was played in court Thursday as the bus driver went on trial

The driver, Lani Davis, 44, was charged with failure to control her Logan Elm School District bus.

The tape showed children tumbling and screaming on Sept. 30 as the bus rolled onto its side on Morris-Leist Road near the high school. The video was recorded by an overhead camera inside the bus.

Davis wept in court as witnesses said they saw a car the bus driver said ran her off the road. The bus swerved and rolled over as it tried to get back on the road, Roberts reported.

"I just swerved to the right to miss it, instead of hitting it head-on," Davis said. "The bus went into the ditch. I was worried about the safety of the kids and tried to keep it from rolling over."

None of the 30 kids on the bus was seriously injured. Davis has been a driver for Logan Elm for four years, Roberts reported.

Davis is on administrative duty until a judge makes his decision. If found guilty, Davis could be fined $100.

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