Over 45 million drivers will illegally pass a stopped school bus this year. This is a reality Tiara Thomas and her daughter Aubrielle know all too well.
Aubrielle is a lively 9-year-old from Lake City, Florida, whose energy and warmth light up any room. Her mother, Tiara, shares, “She’s bubbly, funny, and loves everybody. You could be around her on your saddest day and you’re going to go home smiling and laughing. She’s so special, she really is.”
Tiara had already noticed troubling signs that school bus safety was being ignored in her community. Just weeks earlier, she witnessed a truck illegally speeding past Aubrielle’s school bus as it was coming to a stop. No one was hurt, but the close call left her shaken and concerned about the risks children face each day. Still, nothing could have prepared her for what happened next.
In November 2024, Aubrielle was preparing for an exciting day: a school field trip to the zoo. Her mother recalled that morning vividly: “On this particular day she had a field trip to the zoo. We both said I love you and she got out of the car. I watched her walk from the passenger side of my vehicle, and as she was approaching the road, there was a flash of silver and she was just gone.”
As Aubrielle stepped into the street to board her school bus, a driver ignored the extended stop arm and flashing lights, striking her with such force that she was thrown approximately 50 feet into the air. The impact left Aubrielle with life-threatening injuries: a severe head wound requiring surgery, multiple broken bones, and significant damage to her left ankle.
Aubrielle’s bus driver immediately performed CPR, reviving her before emergency services arrived. She spent 72 hours in the ICU and underwent multiple surgeries.
A Family’s Call to Action
In the aftermath of the accident, Tiara Thomas has become an advocate for school bus safety. She emphasizes the need for systemic changes to protect children: “I think that it’s time that we make school bus safety a top priority. It’s important to equip these school buses with the technology they need to ensure that the bus routes are safe.”
Her message to other parents and community members is urgent and heartfelt: “I want all parents to know and understand that, whether it be your child, a loved one’s child, anybody’s child — if you see something that’s not right, speak up right away. If you notice certain bus routes are really dangerous, not just for children, but for other drivers as well, speak up. Take it to your school board. Don’t wait until an incident like what happened to my daughter. Don’t wait for something like that to happen to your child or somebody else’s child.”
Today, Aubrielle is back at school and continuing her recovery with the same spirit and resilience that makes her so special. Her journey isn’t over, and there is still a possibility she will need another surgery. To support Aubrielle and her family on their long road to healing, you can donate to the family’s GoFundMe.
Leveraging AI Enforcement Technology to Keep Children Safe
At BusPatrol, our mission is to make the journey to and from school safer for every child. We equip school buses with automated stop-arm cameras that record vehicles illegally passing when the stop-arm is extended. This footage is then used to issue citations, helping to enforce traffic laws designed to protect children.
In the communities we serve, we’ve observed that when drivers are aware they’re being recorded and could face citations, they’re more likely to stop as the law requires. This not only reduces illegal passings but also allows bus drivers to concentrate on their primary responsibility: ensuring the safety of their passengers, without the added stress of documenting offenses.
Aubrielle’s story is a powerful reminder of the dangers children face due to negligent driving behaviors. By adopting comprehensive school bus safety programs, districts can take proactive steps to prevent such tragedies.
Learn more about how BusPatrol partners with school districts to create safer environments for students. Contact us today.
