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School bus driver caught on video blowing through red light in Parchment

Posted at 3:39 PM, Dec 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-07 20:45:14-05

PARCHMENT, Mich. — Jesse Carter said he was on his way to work around 2:30 p.m. on November 30 when a Comstock school bus almost sideswiped him. Seconds later, he saw the bus speeding next to him on Riverview Drive, heading towards the intersection near the Advia Credit Union.

“By the time I got my camera out, we were down here and I happened to catch her blowing through that red light,” Carter said during an interview Friday near that intersection. “She was doing like 45, 50 miles an hour.”

Carter said he does not know if the driver was male or female or if anyone was on board. However it was going fast he said. The posted speed limit is 30 m.p.h. on Riverview. Carter said the incident happened around the same time school was letting out for the day and he remembers seeing kids nearby.

“It’s kind of a danger to them you know and other pedestrians out there and motorists,” Carter said. “In the video you could see a car have to slam on his brakes coming up Commerce [Street] right there.”

Carter said he called Comstock Public Schools and reported the incident. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Thoenes told FOX 17 via email that the transportation supervisor reviewed the video and camera on the bus. The driver was ultimately “disciplined." He continued:

“Our primary focus is always on student safety. We appreciate the opportunity presented to us  through this citizen’s efforts to ensure our drivers carry out that mission.”

Meanwhile, Carter posted the video on Facebook and it went viral gaining close to 700 shares. He did not expect that response he said but he hopes it sends a strong message to everyone to slow down especially bus drivers.

“I’m just glad there’s a little bit of awareness out there,” Carter said. “It’s a situation that needs to be addressed. You know, it’s a topic that needs to be addressed really.”