Driver Accused of Speeding Past Stopped Bus Nearly Hits Child

A driver in the Town of Deerpark was arrested on Nov. 15 after police say she drove past a stopped school bus near HBE Elementary School and nearly struck a child. Authorities identified the driver as 53 year old Tricia Borrero Orlando and charged her with multiple offenses, including endangering the welfare of a child. She was scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 2.

The incident occurred in a school zone during a time when children were boarding or exiting a bus, a period when traffic laws are intended to maximize safety for students. Local law enforcement and school officials say incidents in which motorists ignore stopped buses place children at acute risk of injury or worse, and they raise broader questions about how traffic safety is enforced near schools across Orange County.

For residents, the immediate concern is the everyday vulnerability of children who depend on school buses and the predictability of drivers following posted rules. A single vehicle passing a stopped bus can create life threatening situations for families and first responders. In addition to the physical danger, near miss events can produce lasting psychological harm for students, caregivers and bus drivers, and can sap community trust in the safety of school transportation.

Public health considerations extend beyond the risk of a crash. Emergency medical services must be prepared to respond to potential injuries at school related incidents, and trauma among young children can have ripple effects on mental health and school performance. Preventing these events through enforcement, education and engineering is a cost effective way to protect children and reduce strain on local health systems.

The arrest in Deerpark highlights policy and equity issues that local leaders may need to address. School zones often traverse neighborhoods with differing levels of infrastructure, lighting and traffic calming measures. Communities with fewer resources can face higher exposure to traffic hazards and may have less influence over municipal planning and enforcement priorities. Ensuring consistent safety measures near all schools is a matter of equity as well as public health.

Local officials can consider a range of responses, from stepped up patrols around school arrival and dismissal times to public education campaigns reminding motorists of their legal obligations around stopped buses. Investment in engineering measures such as improved signage and speed mitigation can also lower risk.

As the case moves through the court system, it will serve as a reminder to drivers across Orange County of the stakes involved when school zone rules are ignored. For parents, teachers and school staff, the episode underscores the importance of vigilance and of advocating for policies that keep children safe on their way to and from school.