A car accident occurred on Tuesday morning in Queens when a driver lost control after swerving around a school bus. The incident took place near IS 5 in Elmhurst as the school bus was unloading children. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver of a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, frustrated by the bus, maneuvered into oncoming traffic on 51st Avenue around 8 a.m., resulting in a collision with another bus. Fortunately, no children were injured, although the other bus driver sustained minor injuries.
The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly claimed he fell asleep at the wheel prior to the crash. However, this assertion did little to mitigate the concerns surrounding his extensive driving record. Since November 2023, the driver has accumulated a staggering $3,253 in fines due to 38 separate violations, including speeding in school zones, driving in bus lanes, and running red lights. Furthermore, more than $2,000 of these fines remain unpaid, implying potential vehicle seizure by the sheriff’s department.
Local officials express outrage over the lack of immediate charges against the driver. A council member criticized the current legal framework, pointing out that the driver’s extensive history of reckless behavior warranted stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Despite having received eight camera-issued tickets, which would typically carry enough points to revoke a driver’s license, none of these violations contribute to his official driving record.
Source: Website
