Wake parents demand answers after substitute bus driver misses stops

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (WTVD) -- Holly Springs police are investigating after some Wake County parents said a substitute school bus driver would not let their children off the bus Tuesday afternoon, causing concern among families along a Middle Creek Elementary School route.

Parents said the driver of Bus 4 missed several assigned stops and continued driving despite attempts by parents to alert him.

Wake County Public School System officials said Thursday that the transportation department is reviewing the situation and speaking with the driver. The district said its protocol requires drivers who are uncertain about a route to pull over in a safe location and contact a supervisor for assistance.

Rebecca Wallace said her children were on the bus. She noticed the bus was running late but initially was not concerned because it was the first week of school. However, she said she became alarmed by what she observed.

"When I saw the bus jerk around a person in a car and start driving more quickly than I believe is safe down the hill. So, I just start sprinting down the hill after it. I called my husband, 'Get out here now. Something's wrong,' and the cars are following after him," Wallace said.

According to parents, the substitute driver did not follow the intended route and passed multiple assigned bus stops. Wallace and other parents followed the bus and tried to get the driver to stop.

The driver repeatedly showed a sheet of paper and told them, "This is not a bus stop."

"At one point, he pulled into Triangle Community Church up here and stopped. And parents are stopping saying, give us our kids," Wallace said.

Parents said the children on board became increasingly upset.

"The kids, as they're coming down the hill, they'd roll down all the windows. They're sticking their arms and heads out screaming, 'help us, help us.' That will haunt my nightmares forever. And when he finally parked the bus, the kids are still banging on the windows," Wallace said.

Parents eventually blocked the bus with their vehicles and called police.

"We're all saying we thought our children's lives were in danger. It sounds like he was honest to goodness, given bad information, but he was not communicating with anyone," Wallace said.

The district said the transportation department is continuing to review what happened.

Parents said the incident highlights broader concerns within the district's transportation system.

"This has laid bare what a bad job they're doing. And it needs to be fixed. There needs to be better systems to track the bus, give the bus drivers accurate information," Wallace said.

The school district said counseling services are being made available to students who may need support following the incident.