Bus driver bit middle schooler in attack, alleges lawsuit

A Michigan family filed a lawsuit in response to a physical altercation between a female bus driver and their daughter in October.

The girl, a 7th-grader at Carver STEM Academy in Detroit, was allegedly attacked by a substitute bus driver who, according to court documents, “was late and appeared to be angry and irritable when the students arrived and entered the bus,” The Detroit News reports.

While on the bus, the girl (“AB” in the lawsuit) saw her brother outside at a bus stop and talked to him through window. The bus driver allegedly then said to AB, “Sit your (expletive) down.” AB’s mother claims AB confronted the driver about the language and the driver started to physically attack her.

“When AB defended herself, the driver attacked the minor child,” the family’s lawyers allege. “When AB did not back down, the driver took the extraordinary step of biting her in the face and bending back her finger in an effort to cause serious harm and injury.”

Attorney Lillian Diallo, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family, admitted it is not clear which person first approached the other but it doesn’t matter, Fox 2 Detroit reports.

The family is seeking at least $3.5 million in the lawsuit, which names Detroit Public Community District and the bus company, Trinity Transportation, as defendants. The suit alleges negligence on the part of Trinity, as well as assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress on the part of the driver. The family’s legal representation also asserts the district mishandled the incident. 

“Defendants have a duty to investigate all violence fully and completely, but failed to do so, including the failure to advise the parents of the students in the district,” the lawsuit claims. 

The driver was suspended shortly after the event was reported, and her current employment status with Trinity is unknown.