School Bus Driver Arrested After 5-Year-Old Is Dragged Along Road When Backpack Gets Caught in Bus Door, Sheriff Says

A routine school bus drop-off in upstate New York turned into a frightening incident after a 5-year-old child was reportedly dragged along the road when their backpack became trapped in the bus doors. The incident happened on the afternoon of Monday, November 2, in Kirkland, New York, as children were being dropped off along Martin Drive. According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the child was getting off the bus when the driver closed the doors, catching the backpack.

Authorities say the bus continued moving while the child remained caught by the backpack, dragging the young student some distance before the vehicle finally stopped. The child reportedly suffered minor injuries. Although the injuries were not considered serious, the incident raised immediate concerns about how the child became trapped and why the bus continued moving before stopping.

The driver was identified as 37-year-old Tasha Van Dayne, who was operating a bus for the Clinton Central School District. On Tuesday, November 3, Van Dayne turned herself in to deputies and was arrested. She was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor, and released on an appearance ticket. She is scheduled to appear in Kirkland Town Court on November 16.

Following the incident, the Clinton Central School District confirmed that the driver involved would no longer be transporting students. In a statement, the district said it was relieved the child had not suffered serious physical injuries but acknowledged that the experience was frightening and potentially traumatic for both the child and the other students who witnessed it from inside the bus. The district also said its support team would be available to provide counseling and assistance to those affected.

Families whose children were on the bus route were notified, and the district emphasized that student safety remains one of its highest responsibilities. Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. For the child and family, what should have been an ordinary trip home from school became a deeply unsettling experience—one that has renewed attention on the importance of careful safety checks every time a school bus door closes and a vehicle begins moving.

Source: People