What to Know
On Monday, November 2, 2026, Upstate New York school bus driver Tasha Van Dayne picked up children at an elementary school and began her afternoon route. While dropping off a group of children, a 5-year-old child’s backpack reportedly got stuck in the door, trapping them.
Van Dayne allegedly drove off, dragging the child from the bus. The child suffered only minor injuries, but Van Dayne lost her job and wound up in jail.
Van Dayne reportedly closed the bus door on the last child.
According to a release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Martin Drive in the town of Kirkland. Van Dayne stopped her 2023 full-size IC bus in front of the child’s residence, and multiple children exited the vehicle.
“Van Dayne closed the school bus door as the last child exited the bus, and the backpack of the child became trapped in the bus doors,” the sheriff’s department stated. “The child was dragged a distance before the bus stopped.”
The school district released a statement about the incident.
People obtained a statement from the Clinton Central School District. The district confirmed Van Dayne will no longer drive a bus for the district.
“While we are relieved that the student did not sustain serious physical injuries, we recognize that this was a frightening and traumatic experience, not only for the student involved, but also for the children who were still on the bus and witnessed what occurred,” the statement reads.
The district emphasized its commitment to students and their well-being.
“The safety and well-being of our students are among our most important responsibilities, and we take an incident of this nature extremely seriously,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with the student and family, as well as everyone affected by this incident. We understand the trust families place in us each day when they send their children to school, and we remain committed to honoring that trust.”
The incident outraged fellow bus drivers.
Many bus drivers shared shock and horror after reading about Van Dayne’s alleged mistake.
“I don’t get it! When my students leave my bus I DO NOT close my door until they have gotten across the road ( if crossing) or if door side they have cleared the roadway! You WATCH every kid before you close the door! Which with my bus deactivates the reds and the stop sign goes in. I’ll never understand this happening!” A driver shared on Facebook.
This veteran driver felt the same.
“I have been driving a School Bus for 56 years I cannot see how this can happen. Watch each student go down the steps reach the ground and walk 10 steps away from the bus close the door release the brake and proceed on your route no way this should ever happen,” they wrote.
This person gave Van Dayne grace, writing, “Not excusing this but…there are many things that distract drivers. I can see how this would happen. I’m glad the child is okay.”
Van Dayne turned herself in to the police.
Local 12 reported that Van Dayne turned herself in to deputies the following day. They arrested her on a second-degree reckless endangerment charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Police released Van Dayne on an appearance ticket.
Kirkland Town Court scheduled her to appear on November 16. The sheriff’s department said the incident remains under investigation.
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