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SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - A school bus driver involved in a bus vs. train crash in Sumter County, in which multiple students were onboard, is now fired and facing criminal charges.
The driver – who reportedly worked with the Sumter County School District for 10 years – was terminated for "jeopardizing trust" after 30 people on board were nearly harmed in the crash last week, the district announced on April 6.
"The trust that our families place in us to transport their children safely is something we take extremely seriously," Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown said. "Anyone who jeopardizes that trust will not work in the Sumter County School District."
What we know:
On Thursday afternoon, April 2, a train traveling at the intersection of East Central Avenue and North Market Street in Bushnell clipped the back of a Sumter County School District bus.
A Sumter County school bus crashed with a train on April 2, 2026. (Source: Ashley Pharis)
Though no injuries were reported, in a statement to the public, posted on social media on April 6, Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown said the bus driver involved in the crash was fired following an investigation.
No one was hurt in the crash.
"I want to reiterate just how fortunate we are," Brown said. "When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event."
A Sumter County school bus crashed with a train on April 2, 2026. (Source: Ashley Pharis)
What we don't know:
It's not known which students within the Sumter County School District were affected.
Brown thanked administrators from South Sumter Middle School and South Sumter High School for responding to the scene and assisting with safely releasing students to their parents.
A Sumter County school bus crashed with a train on April 2, 2026. (Source: Logan Brown)
Who was the driver involved?
Though the school district did not identify the driver involved, the district said the crash involved bus 2517. A Sumpter County Sheriff's office arrest report, however, identifies the driver as Yvonne Hampton, 67.
The Hampton – who's been employed by the district since 2015 – approached the railroad crossing with 29 students and one bus aide on board. During this time, another vehicle – on the opposite side of the tracks – was attempting to make a left-hand turn, Brown said.
The vehicle moved forward, then stopped again, "creating uncertainty in the path ahead," the superintendent said. When investigators asked Hampton if she ever stopped on the tracks, she said, "No," an arrest report said.
The bus driver drove across the tracks as the train was approaching, Brown described. The front left corner of the train hit the back left corner of the bus, he said.
Hampton claimed she was moving over the tracks when the railroad crossing warning system activated, the arrest report said. She claimed she moved up as far as she could, deputies said.
It was a matter of six inches, Brown said.
"It could have been an extremely catastrophic situation," he said.
Hampton is facing three charges – two misdemeanors: a first offense of reckless driving and culpable negligence exposure to harm, as well as a felony charge of 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.
A Sumter County school bus crashed with a train on April 2, 2026. (Source: Ashley Pharis)
Arrest report: What happened on the bus?
At 4:07 p.m., audio and video footage from inside the bus showed the railroad crossing lights activate – including audible bells – and the crossing arms began to lower. At this time, the bus started to go over the tracks.
About six seconds later, a woman's voice can be heard saying, "Not gonna stop for no train," the arrest report said. Video showed Hampton's head move, consisting with the words spoken. A deputy said they recognized the voice from the interview the Hampton.
After, people on the train started to panic. A student yelled, "There is a train coming!" Hampton uttered, "Get in your seats."
The train hit the bus seconds later.
The report said it's clear Hampton made a decision to cross the railroad tracks after the warning system activated.
A Sumter County school bus crashed with a train on April 2, 2026. (Source: Ashley Pharis)
‘No reported injuries’
Though Brown said there were no injuries from the crash, he explained that many students were shaken and upset.
Brown said he spoke with the train conductor, who reported seeing the bus on the tracks and sounded his horn continuously as he approached the crossing and attempted to brake.
"Based on everything we know, he (the train conductor) did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he's a hero in this situation," Brown said.
Where did the crash take place?
The crash took place at the intersection of East Central Avenue and North Market Street in Bushnell.
The railroad tracks are located in a residential area and are marked by crossing arms on each side of the road, a stop sign and a "Do not stop on tracks" sign posted, Google Maps shows.
‘Not safe for student transportation’
What's next:
Of the five railroad crossings in Bushnell, this crossing at East Central Avenue does not have red lights, the superintendent said. The crossing provides limited space for a bus once the crossing has occurred, Brown said.
Following the crash, the district determined the crossing is no longer safe for student transportation – resulting in future bus routes eliminating the intersection of East Central Avenue and North Market Street.
"We have also learned valuable lessons from this incident and are actively reviewing additional safety measures to ensure that something like this does not happen again," Brown said.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the Sumter County School district and the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.