Eleven Fall River students injured in incident on school bus, driver charged

Several children were injured and brought to the hospital and a driver has been charged after an incident on a school bus Thursday afternoon.

According to Sergeant J.T. Hoar, at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday September 27, Fall River Police received reports of a school bus being operated erratically. It was determined that the bus had students on board from the Argosy Charter School. At approximately 4:20 p.m., Fall River Police located the bus at the intersection of King Phillip and Tuttle Streets. The bus was found parked roadside and there was no indication of any motor vehicle crash involving the bus. Officers immediately entered the bus to further investigate. Upon their initial assessment of the situation it was determined that there were several children complaining of minor injuries.

There were eleven students that complained of minor injuries and as a precaution were transported to area hospitals for evaluation. All of the students were later cleared and released to their parents or guardian.

As part of the investigation, the operator was identified as Kimberly Samson (d.o.b. 10-19-1973) of Westport, MA. She was employed as a driver for the Fisher Bus Company of Somerset, MA who are contracted by the Argosy Charter School to provide transportation for students. After speaking with numerous students on board of the bus, it was determined that Samson had missed several required bus stops during the beginning of her route to transport children home. Despite missing the stops, she continued driving missing more stops along the way. A disturbance began between Samson and the children. An adult bus monitor on board also witnessed this behavior and further confirmed the tumultuous environment on the bus. Numerous children on board were asking Samson to stop the bus but she continued to drive. Students on board began contacting their families which then triggered police to be notified.

Samson eventually was driving on King Philip Street approaching the intersection of Tuttle Street when she abruptly stopped the bus causing the students to be forced forward. It was at this time, Police were able to locate the bus parked roadside.

The investigation is still ongoing with more witness statements and possible video evidence being gathered. Samson was charged with Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and eleven counts of Wanton & Reckless Endangerment of a Child.