Bus on Murch field trip crashes, kids hurt, bus driver charged with DUI

[snowwhite]

This situation is so bad, that I initially thought it was a joke...but nope. Let me just say this....if my kindergartner was on that bus I would be FREAKING PISSED! I cant believe the parents aren't demanding heads roll over this travesty! Does DCPS not get the magnitude of this situation? This idiot was driving drunk with a busload full of FIVE YEAR OLDS !

And that the school Chancellor was allowed to respond to those shaken parents with such weak excuses makes this so much worse. Given his very cavalier affect during that meeting, it seems 100% likely that something like this will happen again. Like really, that was the best he could do? Again, these were kindergartners...they're just starting school and have their entire lives ahead of them...all of that could have been taken away in an instant by some loser drunk that DCPS (or whomever) didn't take the time to vet?

Thankfully, none of the kids were injured, but I'm sure they were all traumatized to some extent. If one of those kids was my kid, I'd definitely be preparing to sue any and everybody who dropped the ball with this...DCPS included. And for the person who asked what claims could be brought....negligence, reckless endangerment and intentional infliction of emotional distress to start.

My youngest child (now a 6th grader) was in Pre-k and K at J.O. Wilson some years ago, and whenever they went on a field trip, I went too. His teachers were amazing and I loved the leadership at the school, but there were too many instances during the normal course of the school week where their institutional judgement didn't align with my parental judgement. And because of that, I never felt at ease sending my child on a field trip with them unless I went too.

I went to the zoo, the pumpkin patch, Disney on Ice, the museums, the Kennedy Center and anywhere else they went. It wasn't always easy to shuffle my schedule so that I could attend trips with the class...and I really should not have had to do it, but I just wasn't comfortable sending my child without me or my husband being there. What's sad is that, in some schools at least, it's still that way. Parents should be able to trust that the school can handle getting kids from the school yard to the pumpkin patch without say...the bus driver running off the road and into a ditch because he was drunk.

[Anonymous]

Is this no longer applicable? I'm trying to understand...

..according to the teamsters, there are federal laws regarding the transport of children and cdl licensure...

This link has old info but maybe someone else knows more

https://teamster.org/school-bus-endorsement-commercial-drivers-license-standards/

[Anonymous]

Not to sock puppet but the guidelines seem murky when it comes to field trips. Not certain of how federal guidelines and local laws (both DC and Virginia, since the trip crossed borders) and federal guidelines intersect.

Definitely a can of worms opened with this incident that I hope leads to tougher regulation of these companies.

From the federal agency that is responsible for DOT advisement on this issue:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/education-related-transportation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From WTOP "School staff convinced Reynolds to follow another bus coming back from the field trip and pull over on Commercial Drive, in Chantilly, and they called 911, the police said."

So school staff didn't immediately demand that he get from being the wheel after hitting the rock/ running off the road?!
He was allowed to drive behind the bus?!

I'm not sure what the alternative was? They didn't know he was drunk...they just knew that his driving wasn't feeling safe. So they asked him to pull over at the nearest safe location. They acted quickly, decisively, and appropriately. There can be zero qualms with the actions of the teachers on that bus.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools now have to check the bus drivers license upon their arrival to see if the credentials are valid or not.

Checking a license that someone hands you doesn't let you know if that license has been suspended or revoked or if the driver has a recent DUI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

Who owns the LLC for Rome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

Who owns the LLC for Rome?

I don’t know who owns it but there are like four bus companies operating as LLCs out of the same Lorton address as Rome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

Who owns the LLC for Rome?

I don’t know who owns it but there are like four bus companies operating as LLCs out of the same Lorton address as Rome.

^^^ This. So glad this incident is unravelling the obvious ... heads need to roll on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

RUKM!!! This makes me so disgusted.
Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Posted DCPS policy:

Ground Transportation
Schools are responsible for the expense and contracting of ground transportation services. For ground transportation, schools should use a bus transportation vendor approved by the DCPS’ Contracts and Acquisitions team. For a current list of these vendors or questions about using travel vendors/education tour group companies for transportation needs, email [e-mail]. Trip sponsors, with support from the principal and/or business manager or Director/Manager of Strategy and Logistics, will be responsible for all contractual arrangements.
Use of private vehicles for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Use of ride-sharing services for transportation to and/or from a field trip site is strictly prohibited. Ground transportation is restricted to contracted buses and public transportation.


https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Field%20Trip%20Policy.pdf

Seems like the policy was more focused on ensuring schools used the approved vendors. I can see the rationale behind not using UBER or LYFT or Private cars for liability reasons. But DCPS really will take the hit since the guidance forced schools to select from one of four vendors, listing Rome as one.

Also, our school had also booked that company and said that the list hadn't been updated since 2019 and 2 of the companies have limited capacity post-pandemic, so it was really funneling a TON of business to Rome and one other company.

So probably these 2 maintain some sort of standards about the fitness of their buses and drivers. No doubt they have long known about Rome’s misdeeds.

[Anonymous]

I don’t typically advocate for legal a action but I really do wish that the families and teachers who experienced this Incident would file suit against DCPS and Rome. I genuinely think that is the only way to really shed light in the busing failures and find out who at DCPS was asleep at the wheel (taking bribes more like). This thing is rotten to the core.

[Anonymous]

They need to put him in prison for attempted murder of 30 children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools now have to check the bus drivers license upon their arrival to see if the credentials are valid or not.

I would think that this could be something approved through DDOT, like a CDL with a School Bus transport endorsement.

This is so sad, but fortunately no one was hurt.

I think this may usher in a much needed check and balance in this industry.

That's true.

I am not certain how equipped schools are to manage credentials from bus drivers. Seems like there should be a more organized way of analyzing this.

How is an individual school supposed to do this?

DCPS teacher here. I suspect that individual schools have had bad experiences with this company and stopped using them. Problem is that information probably never flowed up to whoever anonymous person picks these companies. There is no feedback loop. But making a voluntary online form - yet another task teachers have zero time for - wouldn’t be effective enough either. Central office needs to reach out and email and call the field trip coordinator to see how it went. We’re asked for feedback on a million other, non life’s-in-someone’s-hands issues.

Check with drivers the day of the trip and ask to see drivers licenses, I'm assuming. Not unless schools create their own electronic system of driver records for field trips.

So let’s make the principals or teachers the people with primary liability? Great.

This is messed up. No way staff should be the people responsible for this.

I hope this is at least coupled with some responsibility on the part of the DCPS central office to do diligence on a company before making them an approved/preferred vendor. This company had obviously been having problems for years that should have been apparent with some very basic vetting.