County bus driver suspended after bizarre mishap

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
May 1, 2201
Lauderdale County School District officials have suspended a school bus driver while they investigate an incident in which a kindergarten student was trapped in the door of a school bus.
School district officials would not name the bus driver who was involved in the Monday incident in which Ashton Belk, a West Lauderdale Elementary kindergarten student, suffered abrasions on both legs.
Belk's parents could not be reached for comment. Lauderdale County School Superintendent David Little was out of the office until next week and could not be reached for comment.
Vick said one of the issues that will be examined in the investigation is whether Belk was dragged by the bus before the driver realized the child had been caught in the door.
John Compton, attorney for Lauderdale County schools, said the investigation will be conducted by Roger Wright, transportation supervisor for the district. Compton said it will involve taking statements from the bus driver, parents and any witnesses.
Compton said the incident was reported to the school district's insurance company.
Wright said that the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department was not notified of the incident because it didn't involve another vehicle. The incident took place at a school bus stop on Highway 495.
Wright said school bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license; he said their driving record is checked before they become bus drivers.
Drivers also periodically take refresher courses on driving a school bus. The courses are conducted by instructors from the state Department of Education.
Wright said the school district employs about 150 bus drivers, including substitutes, who cover 93 routes. He said drivers must be at least 25 and receive random drug and alcohol screenings each month.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x