Police report: Woman who drove around bus and hit student had frost-obscured windshield
The woman who was cited for careless driving last week after striking a 15-year-old Pioneer High School student was driving with a partially frosted-over windshield, according to a traffic accident report.
The traffic crash report, obtained by AnnArbor.com Tuesday afternoon, indicated the 46-year-old Ann Arbor woman told police she did not see the red flashing lights on the school bus. The bus had stopped at the corner of Shadowood Drive and Hardyke Court to pick up students, police said.
The bus driver told police he stopped and turned on the red flashing lights on the school bus, indicating drivers must stop for pedestrians, the report stated. The driver told police he saw a red vehicle drive around the bus after the lights had been turned on and strike the 15-year-old girl.
According to the report, the woman told police she went around the stopped school bus and she didn’t see the red flashing lights or the girl. Officer Trudy Sahr, the officer who responded to the scene, wrote she noticed the front windshield of the car was partially frosted over.
“I noticed her windows were frosted over,” Sahr wrote in the report. “I asked her if her front windshield was clear or was it frosted over. She stated it was frosted over some.”
A witness told Sahr she was standing on the east side of Shadowood and saw the school bus stop and activate the red flashing lights on the vehicle. The woman said it appeared the driver of the red vehicle did not see the 15-year-old girl as she passed the bus.
The Ann Arbor woman was cited for careless driving at the scene of the crash. The investigation is closed.
The 15-year-old girl was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital with a large bump on her head. Her injuries were not life threatening, police said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Grimey
Sat, Dec 1, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
How absolutely irresponsible!
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Fri, Nov 23, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
The bus did not TURN it LIGHTS on until the child was in front of the bus. And if was in the wrong they would have taken her to jail
snapshot
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.
This is a crime of negligence not a traffic violation. This careless driver needs to be taught a lesson and pay for her negligence. I'd like to know if there is any personal connections between this woman and either law enforcement or District Attorney folks. This just sounds wrong to me. Was she tested for alcohol? Wouldn't that be standard procedure? Ann Arbor.com should do a follow up story.......this driver passed a school bus with red flashing lights.....if she ran a red light and hit a pedestrian what the hell kind of message is law enforcement sending to these negligent drivers? It's a license to drive not to kill and maim because you don't want to take the time and attention to actually have your vehicle under control.
dfossil
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
The Police do not set the limits just administer them. The citation of "careless" means 4 points against this woman's license. NOT a light issue for her insurance renewal. The Insurance company will ramp up a 46 year olds annual rate to reflect this and that can cost her thousands for years to keep her insurance. Some companies will cancel her as a high risk right now! This is the actual "punishment" the drivers get, also Careless doesn't come off her license anytime soon.
walker101
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
The Ann Arbor woman was cited for careless driving at the scene of the crash. The investigation is closed. That's it? She drives with an obscured window, goes around a bus that has flashing lights, hits a student crossing the street that has to go to the hospital, and the case is closed?? In California, the fine for passing a school bus that's stopped with flashing red lights is $1000.00. Looks like her parent will be contacting Lawyer Lee to get a follow up $$$$.
MyCommentNow
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
This driver needs to be very grateful this Thanksgiving season, and every single day think about the fact that the student didn't die.
Robert Granville
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
So we're just gonna pretend gender plays no part in the discretion of police officers issuing tickets despite years of research on the subject? Cool. Critical thinking is for the birds anyway.... let's all just pretend we live in a world without bias.
a2citizen
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 : 7:30 a.m.
Well, gender and the length of the skirt.
BHarding
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
If the windows were still partially frosted over when the officer got to the scene, that means the woman was driving while looking through a peephole, I'd bet. Too many people do that, and it is so dangerous.
eone
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Sad story,AA.COM won't even print the name of a stupid driver who admitted she was wrong. I hope the judge throws the book at her,if it ever gets that far!
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
Why do u need a name thats just not right
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
I am so sorry but this is like saying I am above the law and i can do whatever I want? O heck no. She hit a child, she should do some probation or service time. This is very upsetting to me to think people in Ann Arbor can get away wit this. As one poster mentioned what about the one woman in Ohio? She got time. If this is the way it is in Ann Arbor? Heck I can break any law I want and get away with it. If the police will not do anything about this? Then may the driver be cursed for life including the police and judicial system who refuse to throw the book at her. Time to rethink our legal system here folks.
GoNavy
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
Ya. Of course the windshield was frosted. Yep - whatever you say. Here's your ticket and court date, BTW.
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
Won't be if she lets it go and does not fight it. Unless the prosecutors go for the throat.
Sparky87
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
So, she could see the bus well enough to drive around it, yet did not see the red flashing lights... Too bad there isn't any accountability, responsibility, or honesty left in this woman! Lock her up.
Fat Bill
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
Lets not forget that she could see enough to steer around the bus. Not only are there flashing red lights up high, there is also the matter of the stop sign with its own lights that sits only 5 feet or so off the ground on the left side just behind the bus driver. Had she seriously injured or killed the girl she would have earned herself a prison stint. I drove school bus for several years while a graduate student; I witnessed this behavior frequently. Pittsfield and Saline police were very good about investigating and citing drivers disregarding my alternating reds.
ThinkingOne
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Good catch Bill. She didn't see the flashing red lights, but she saw the bus and managed to steer around it without hitting it. I guess the window wasn't that frosted.
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
I do know that if you catch the plate in Ann Arbor? The driver will be mailed a $300 ticket with an added 3 points to the license. Gee, that says a lot doesn't it? Why do you think the stop sign was added to the bus? Because people like this driver said I did not see the reds. What part of red do you not understand?
a2girl
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 4:24 a.m.
I wonder if the charge would have been different if the child had been serious injured or worse. Can someone explain the law? How can she not lose her license, at least for a significant period of time?
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
Explain how drunk drivers who loose their license and still continue to drive? Explain how drunk drivers kill people and yet still do not get enough time serve? If she killed the child it would be almost the same thing. Our laws on this need to be severe.
lancelot
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 2:11 a.m.
this is not care-less it is wreck-less. In 2 semesters my granddaughters lived with me on wagner road I watched 3 vehicles pass the bus with compliment lights flashing. Get use to it and protect your kids, those drivers care-less. She saw the bus, lights and drove around- criminal
getyourstorystraightfirst
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
Happy that this child wasn't seriously injured or worse. You have to pay attention when driving.
Elouise
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Another question would be: how many traffic lights did she ignore due to her "frosty windows"? I wonder if the punishment for running a SOLID red light is the same as hitting a pedestrian? Would not surprise me if it's worse... And isn't that technically impaired driving?
Elouise
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.
Visually impaired... You know, from the frost...
tdw
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
No drugs or alcohol were involved so no
Skyjockey43
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
Ok so she was cited. What was her punishment?
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
For running the reds? $300 fine and 3 points. Anything else? I have no idea. Wish it was more.
dfossil
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
Not even remotely an excuse! I'm surprised the Officer brought it up! Frost on my windshield MAGNIFIES the red flashing lights all across the windshield, not obscures it. This woman deliberately drove around a bus and did not stop. If anything she deserves TWO careless citations for having an obscured view!
tdw
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
I don't buy it.Even with a frosted window you can still see red
leezee
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 11:39 p.m.
Her story is completely ridiculous.
DJBudSonic
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.
Too lazy to scrape, or didn't want to get a $100 ticket for idleing while the windshield defrosted?
jns131
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
$300 and 3 points.
slave2work
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
EVen with frosted over windows you can see " FLASHING" bright red lights.. shesh. Wow, and nothing is going to be done to her?..
stevek
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 11:10 p.m.
Why don't you post her name?
Elouise
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
They NEED it so they can sleep at night... It would be one thing if she was a violent criminal released out into society. She's just a crappy driver. Having her name is not going to change anything for anyone who claims they need it on here... I can hear it now............. "Oh, hey, that's Carol So-And-So! You know, the one who runs over people's kids while they're going to the bus! I think we better just drive our kids to school today! And make sure our kids don't play with hers either. Who knows what she's teaching them!"
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
With so much HATE in this world WHY DO YOU NEED A NAME
grimmk
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 6:52 a.m.
Elouise - The case is closed and she was charged with a ticket. That implies guilt. The lady fully admits she did hit the child. Her name should be posted.
Elouise
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.
...right. Just like all of the other people who are guilty until proven innocent...
kms
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.
This bit of new information makes her even guiltier. Why would she even drive if she could not see properly? It's her responsibility to clear her windshields of frost before driving. I'm even more mystified than before why she was just given a simple ticket. Hopefully the parents of the girl can press for more serious charges. I know I would if it were my kid...I would be so angry that the only punishment is a $300 ticket. She could have killed the girl.
Elaine F. Owsley
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
It could have been dead aliens on her windshield. It doesn't matter. She broke the law by passing a school bus with flashing lights.............period.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
The lights went on as the child was running in front of bus
Reason
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
Frosty dead aliens, no less.
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
Just wanted to pass along this link from Rich Kinsey's column in October. It's important every one of us remembers to be careful on the road, especially in the next few months as the weather turns and winter rolls in. Be safe out there, everybody. http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/dont-be-a-tank-commander/
Elaine F. Owsley
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
And, obey the law. You don't pass a school bus stopped with flashing lights.
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
I promise I didn't steal that from you A2Ray, I must have missed your comment earlier!
A2Ray
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Great idea, Kyle...
Ron Granger
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
Apparently yet another driver in too big of a hurry to put safety first.
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
This story gets even better
Elouise
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
If she couldn't see well enough, she should not have been driving... If she had taken 3 or 4 extra minutes to scrape her windows, who knows if this would have happened... She's probably using ts excuse as a cover up for distracted driving...
Renee S.
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
It didn't sound like she was making excuses; it was the officer who pointed out the windows to begin with. This isn't an article about the woman making excuses, it's just informing us all of the risks of driving with frost encrusted windows.
A2Ray
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Driving with fogged or frosted over windows is really dangerous! You have to be able to see to drive—it is just that simple. This brings to mind Rich Kinsey's article a couple of weeks ago: http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/dont-be-a-tank-commander/
HONDO
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
Hopefully not an excuse. If i got frost and cant see out the window, I wait till it thaws or scrap it. What a lame article, just shows she needs to go back to driving 101. Hope she loses her license for a bit!
Doug
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
Case is closed, no chance of license suspension. The driver should be off the streets for a few months!
Cory
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
Can we give her a sign that says "Only Idiots pass busses" like they did to the Ohio woman that drove on the sidewalk?